the Pope. Whatever may occur from this, and other revolutions of the present age, I do not expect what men are generally looking for -peace, peace, when there is no peace. It is now many years since I understood that "God means what he says in his word." Indeed this is the chief blessing I have received from our revered Brother Campbell; and with this rule I look for nothing but overturn, overturn, overturn,' as saith the Prophet, until He come whose right it is to reign; and to Him shall the kingdom be given. Blessed period! Even so, come Lord Jesus."

* * *

Dear Brother-We do not anticipate that the political institutions now existing in the ten kingdoms of Europe, will, in their working, be less marked by confusion, or less difficult to

us.

years

his footstool. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. He came to destroy death and him that had the power of death, who is the devil. This, then, takes place when the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, the living saints being changed in a moment-in the twinkling of an

eye.

It is said again, truly, that Jesus is now on his Father's throne, and that from his exalted station he has declared, that those who overcome, shall sit down with him on his throne, as he overcame, and sat down on his Father's throne. But what is intended by the expression, "sit with me on my throne ?" We understand by it, that through the instrumentality of his truth, spirit, and presence, he is gathering to

ven.

throne, every part consisting of living stones— an intellectual congregation, purified, and immortal, collected out of every nation under heaThis is the community over and amongst whom Jesus will reign for ever this will be the throne of his glory. He will present this glorious retinue, this numerous host-the blessed result of his mediatorial work—without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

adapt to the exigencies of the times by those in power. Nor are we among the number of those who cry "peace, peace," when there is no pros-gether the materials of which to build that pect of peace; indeed all we have said or written has been to the contrary of this. That those portions of the word of God which are neither figurative nor metaphorical, mean what they testify, is most cordially and firmly believed by It was thus that Jehovah spoke, by the mouth of his prophet Ezekiel, nearly 600 before Christ::- "Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Remove the diadem, and take off the crown (from that wicked Zedekiah.) Is not this, even this, he that hath abased the exalted, and exalted the abased? I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and this kingdom of Israel shall be no more (in its united form) until He shall come whose right it is; and I will give it him," (xxi. 27.) Genesis xlix. 8, Judah, thee, thee shall thy brethren praise. On the necks of thine enemies shall be thine hand: to thee thy Father's children shall bow down. Like a youthful lion is Judah: from the prey, my son, thou returnest. A sceptred chief shall not depart from Judah, nor a judge (scribe) from his own offspring until SHILOH come, and to him the nations shall be obedient," (Boothroyd's translation.) Without entering into any lengthened observations, we may state, that we understand these two prophecies to have had their fulfilment when Jesus, who is designated

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords," came to take away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hence, after his resurrection from the dead, he said to his apostles, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me," &c. Ascended to heaven, he is at the right hand of God-angels, authorities, and powers being subjected to him; and he must reign until all his enemies be made

The first Adam was placed on a throne, and made Lord over the animal world: he lost selfgovernment through the bewitching influence of his wife, forfeited his lordship, became a rebel, and brought death upon his whole dominion. But the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, possessed self-government: he conquered, and will stand for ever at the head, not of an animal and mortal race, but of a spiritual and immortal community. As the seed of Abraham, the Son of David, and the Son of God, he will reign over these, in subjection to his Father, dwelling in him for ever. On this, the throne of his own glory — the purchase of his pains-he will preside, ever giving forth fresh developments of the sublime, marvellous, and manifold perfections of the Deity. "The God shines gracious through the man, and sheds sweet glories on them all.”

'Oh, glorious day! oh, blest abode! We shall be near, and like our God: And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of the soul.' It may be asked, "Are monarchical and republican institutions, popes and clergymen, for ever to trouble this world, as at the present day ?" We say, certainly not. We hope they will be

come more enlightened; but, if not, they will be removed out of the way. "As I live, saith Jehovah, the whole earth shall be filled with my glory; for the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." All kings shall present their homage, and worship him.

Now, if the disciples of Christ, in the aggregate, presented the same line of front to friends and foes the same self-denial, and indifference to the possessions and riches of this world -the same constant and implicit obedience to the will of God and were inspired with the same undying hope of immortality as that manifested by Jesus, Paul, and some of the members of the first chsrches, in what respect, indeed, would they require republican or monarchical institutions? In other words, if the church were built upon facts, precepts, and promises, and actuated by the same spirit while the beast, the false prophet, and the devil, with all their lying wonders, were chained, bound, and cast into the bottomless pit, even for a thousand years--where would be the necessity for numerous and troublesome institutions of men? They would become nonentities. Yours, &c. J. W.

CORRESPONDENCE.

|

As then, Christ bearing our sins, does not mean so many sins numerically, if we may so say"for the ungodly," or the like, does not teach so the expression that he suffered "for us,' or us that it was instead of the persons for whom he died, so that those in whose place he stood (as many speak) cannot but be saved, unless God should punish sin twice. Persons who so reason, tell us that if Christ died for the whole world, then the whole world must be

saved; and as the whole world will not be
saved, they conclude that he did not suffer for
the sin of the whole world. But let us see
what the scriptures teach us concerning this,
and what we are to understand by his suffering
for us, or for any one. We read, Dan. ix. 26,
that "Messiah was to be cut off, but not for
himself "that is, not on account of any sins
of his own, for he had none, but on some other
account, or on the account of some one else's
sins; the expression "cut off" always denoting
in the scriptures a violent death (not a natural
one) and penal death also, or one suffering
by the sentence of the law, whether such a
sentence be executed by men, or by the imme-
diate judgment of God. So Isa. liii. 4-5, we
learn that when he should appear as a man of
sorrows, and be despised and rejected of men,
his own nation would consider him to be the

object of God's displeasure, and consequently
to suffer on his own account. Thus the pro-
phet says, "We did esteem him stricken, smitten
of God and afflicted;" "but" he adds,
"he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities," &c:-not for his own, but
for ours:
"cut off but not for himself."

For whom then did Christ die? that is, on

LETTER FROM "A LOVER OF GOOD whose account, and for whose benefit did he

MEN."

(Concluded from page 534.)

It is evident from the scriptures, that the words "bearing sin" have the simple meaning of suffering the penalty or punishment which sin deserves: so Christ, bearing sin, is already disencumbered from the idea of his suffering so much punishment for so many sins of so many persons, which is no more true than that his death was his suffering death so many times for so many persons as shall be delivered from death. He died once, and in so doing endured all that is contained in death, or the giving up of the ghost; and he also endured the curse of the law, or the wrath of God. What this is, is known only to the Father and to his Son; but this we know, it was the whole penalty due to sin, and not a certain measure of punishment for a certain number of sins. It was, therefore, irrespective of the number of persons who should be the better for it. If every individual of the race of Adam had been to be saved, Christ would have suffered no more: if only "a very small remnant" had been "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," Jesus would have suffered no less.

suffer death, and the curse of God? Was it for some of the children of men and not for all? or, on the other hand, was there in Christ's death no respect whatever to "those who shall believe on him to life everlasting," more than to the rest of mankind? We think we shall see in the first place, that Christ gave himself a ransom for all, in the largest and most unqualified sense; and, at your discretion, sir, shall in another paper, endeavour to shew how the death of Christ respects those who shall certainly be saved, on some accounts which cannot be applicable to those who shall at last perish. I know you will agree with me in saying, let us examine these two sides of the subject fairly, without any respect to the conflicting and contrary opinions of Calvinists or Arminians, Scotch Baptists or Reformers, and abide entirely by what the scripture teaches

us.

First, then, the Lord himself expressly declared to the Jews that he would give his flesh for the life of the world, John. vi. 51. Giving his flesh, in this whole connexion, plainly meaning, his being a sacrifice for sin. So John the Baptist pointed him out as "the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world," or

preach what they call the gospel indiscriminately,
are fond of choosing out such passages as these,
purposely because they are ambiguous,
"that
Christ came to save sinners, the chief of sinners,
the worst of sinners, such sinners as you and
I," &c. which sayings do not determine whether
Christ died for all men or not. The words are
true, but there is a want of sincerity in such
preaching because it is intended to encourage
men to hope in Christ, on the ground that he
died for them; and if they understand the
speaker to mean, that he died for all men, then
they learn from his mouth what he does not
believe himself.

To the above we may just add, that as "he who believeth not shall be damned;" if God had no love to him, and Christ's death was not for him, how can he be condemned on the ground of his unbelief?

Yours in truth,

A LOVER OF GOOD MEN.

LETTER FROM W. MCDOUGALE.

Howdon Pans, December 5, 1848. Dear Brother-Your letter, written on behalf of the committee at Nottingham, I received some four days after date. The important nature of its contents, together with circumstances over which I had no control, obligated me to defer replying until now.

never

You were right in supposing that I was already aware of the proposal of the brethren at the Glasgow meeting, in reference to myself. My dear Brother King waited upon me at Bedlington to inform me; and, believe me, received a communication which surprised me more, (I shrink from adding, what is nevertheless true) and grieved me also, for I felt at once the utter improbability of my ever being able in an age like this, to take a position demanding, as it unquestionably does, attainments, intellectual and spiritual, of a very high order.

I am, however, saved the pain of declining compliance with the request of the brethren, on this ground alone-for, were I qualified in other respects, to move among the churches, and take

throughout this locality, see my incapacity on this account.

The church at Howdon have also entreated me not to leave them; and, after careful consideration, and supplication to our Sovereign Lord, I saw it my duty to promise them that, in their present state, I would not. Last year I visited a village some 30 miles North from this place, where I found eight disciples of the Saviour-rather, persons who had been disciples, for they had ceased to assemble as such; and I saw no household altar, some of them seeming to have become altogether carnal again -others appearing strongly desirous of having something done for them, but as strongly disinclined to do anything for themselves. But who can wonder at it? For three years they had not seen the face, or heard the voice, or received a line, either from the evangelist who had turned them to the Lord, or any other brother. The few churches with which I am acquainted, connected with this Reformation, have almost, without an exception, sustained injury from the same cause. Convinced of the truth, baptized, and left, as the ostrich leaves her eggs in the sand. True, it would be improper, in some of those cases, to blame the parties concerned; necessity might compel them to depart. Yet these things teach a lesson from which I wish to profit.

Dear brother-I doubt not that the esteemed brethren associated with you in the committee, will now see, if not from the reasons above stated, at least from the second mentioned, the necessity which bids me to decline the honorable and responsible office to which the brethren would call me.

tion, your's, and theirs' in the Lord,
With feelings of unfeigned esteem and affec-

WM. MCDOUGALE.

[On the 21st of November last, a letter was sent to Brother McDougale, of Newcastle, by the Committee at Nottingham, inviting him to become a general evangelist to the church. The preceding letter is the reply.-J. W.]

CONTROVERSY, &c.

this great field of the world, and did it appear THE HARBINGER, SCOTCH BAPTIST "right in the sight of God," to leave, without help, those whom the Lord in his grace has called to the fellowship of the gospel in this place, (Howdon) through my poor agency — yet, on the ground of ill health, I feel myself obliged to decline. Since the month of May last, I have been wholly occupied in proclaiming the gospel, and looking through the churches, excepting about two months, during which time I was laid aside as a useless thing the effect of my speaking. During the last six weeks, I have been growing worse. Since the labors of the last Lord's day, indeed, I have scarcely been able to speak audibly, through extreme weakness of my chest ; indeed, all my brethren,

Ford Forge, November 21, 1848. Dear Sir-I believe there is no periodical so worthy of support as THE BRITISH MILLENNIAL HARBINGER. I know of none that treats so much on true practical godliness, which is now so much wanted in society. The article on Discipline, in this number, I consider worth the price of the magazine. But while there are things to commend, there are others to censure, at the correction of which, if we belong to Jesus, we shall not be offended. There is danger, however, of attributing that which is wrong to some other cause than to the real

one.

Have not all the evils in the world been attributable, either to a disregard of God's word, or of dealing deceitfully with it? From the days of Mother Eve to the present time, this has been the case with those who separate what God has joined together.

Now concerning your controversy with the SCOTCH BAPTIST, one J. Black says there is a mistake on both sides of the subject. But where, in the New Testament, do we find baptism alone held forth for the remission of sins? No where; and yet, if that be not what J. B. mean, when repudiating the Calvinistic doctrine, I do not understand him. He says to the Calvinist, to think of baptism for the remission of sins, is almost blasphemy. The commission was, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature: he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved." Thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Faith first, and baptism second. Some have tried to separate these two; but is not this to deal with the word of the Lord deceitfully? He that believeth not shall be condemned.

But I am sorry to see in the HARBINGER, or in any other publication, the REV. A. Campbell. Did not our Lord positively prohibit this in all his disciples? He does not allow them either to give or to receive these honorary titles as teachers. Indeed, are they not the mark of the Beast in the forehead? And is not covetousness the sin of the right hand, so emphatically described by the Apostle Jude - "Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and run greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward, and shall perish in the gainsayings of Korah." All teachers and publishers incur great respnosibility. Let us beware of bringing upon ourselves this same condemnYours in truth,

ation.

ITEMS OF NEWS.

M. A.

had great pleasure in baptizing Brother Hold-
ing's wife, and our prayer is, that like Zacariah
and Elizabeth, they may walk in all the ordi-
nances and commandments of the Lord blame-
less. December 3rd, Brother Robinson and I
went to Whittle, where one of the brethren hav-
ing lost a child, it was interred on the day of
our visit, when we addressed the people present.
After the funeral, the mother of the child made
her confession, and desired baptism. Decem-
ber 11th, the brethren have again been highly
gratified this evening by hearing the confession
of two more middle-aged men at the time of
their confession we were pleased to see them
manifest such an earnest determination to give
themselves entirely to the Lord, and to keep all
his ordinances. According to their desire they
were planted together in the likeness of his
death. The gospel is still the power of God to
the salvation of every one that believeth.
Yours, &c.

T. Coop.

WHITTLE, NOVEMBER 27TH.-The following communication was addressed to Brother Coop:-Dear brother: I have this morning to communicate glad tidings to you, which will cause great joy to all the true followers of the Lamb: three more precious souls were added to the church of Christ by baptism, last night, about eight o'clock, all of whom are aged men, having wives and families, which renders the prospect still more cheering. What shall we render to the Lord, for his wondrous works to the children of men? You will have the goodness to let Brother Clayton know that the Lord has crowned his labors in a wonderful manner, although whilst he was with us, things were not so promising; yet the seed that was sown, we hope in the Lord fell on good ground. Let the church know what the Lord is doing in this place, and unto Him ascribe all the praise. I have been amongst our people this morning, and believe there will be four or five come forward at once; and brother, as they wish your presence, if you can come, I believe the Lord will bless your visit amongst us. Yours in love, WM. WHITE.

LONDON, DECEMBER 17TH.--Dear Brother WIGAN, DECEMBER 11TH, 1848.- Dear Wallis-Intending something like a monthly brother: It is with feelings of pleasure and presentation of news for the BRITISH MILLENgratitude to our Heavenly Father, that I write NIAL HARBINGER, I shall, at this time, name a few lines respecting the cause of our Redeemer. a few things with which I have had to do since On the 21st November we were favored with a I saw you at Glasgow. I do not anticipate visit from our Brother H. Shaw. He address- confining my communications to information ed us on the duties of parents to their children, concerning our churches, but may, at times, and children to their parents, from Eph. vi. notice some passing movements among the The brethren were edified and comforted, and Sects, such as appear to mark the progress of at the conclusion a man rose up and made his that undergrowth of knowledge which must, confession of faith in Jesus, and was baptized. ere long, compel them to yield to better and On Thursday, the 22nd, after our usual meet-worthier successors. Before returning to Loning, a young man also made his confession and don, I spent some days at BEDLINGTON, HOWwas the same day buried with Jesus in baptism, DON, and NEWCASTLE. Here I had opportuand rose again to newness of life. 26th-We 'nity of surveying the field of our Brother Mac