connexion with godliness, nor with intellectual infidelity; but with hearty believers in Christianity.

Godly persons may still be occasionally met with, who object to theology as irreverent and dangerous. Our aim, they think, should be, not precise thought or learned inquiry, but edification. They forget that no edifice can be duly reared but upon a firm foundation, that if this be not provided, crude and unsafe materials will inevitably be substituted; that the only possible basis of the Christian character is Christian truth, and that to ascertain this is the aim of theology.

On the other hand, we sometimes hear, even from men of some learning and ability as well as piety, loud declamation against the alleged irrelevance and mischievousness of theology. Christianity, forsooth, being an affair of the heart, cannot brook scientific handling. Theology stalks abroad to stifle the life of the Christian, and reduce the corpse to an anatomical preparation. It strives authoritatively to pass off on mankind the dead manufacture of the human intellect for the genuine living gift of God. It is evident that objectors of this class have much affinity with the last, though their language is more elevated and pretentious. The fact however, that most of them have after all a theology of their own, which they are far from reserving, seems to show that their real displeasure is rather with doctrines of a certain class, or a particular kind of theology, than with the thing altogether. In order to settle the question whether theology is possible and legitimate or not, it is necessary to determine first, what is meant by the word. A clear notion of words will prevent fighting in the dark. An accurate conception of the nature of the subject, formed at the outset, and ready for continual reference, will be the best preparation for further inquiries. This accordingly will be our aim in the next paper.

C. W.

The Christian ear.

BY A CLERGYMAN.

Year.

Epiphany.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem."-Matt. ii. 1.

THE Gospel is preached to the mean and the simple, but not to them only. The shepherds had the precedence, but the grandees followed them. This was a more public and notorious manifestation of Christ than the other. The world knew nothing of the shepherds and their vision, nor of what passed in the stable when they saw the Babe. But a star in the sky is hung up in the view of all. These wise men were illustrious, and their visit to Jerusalem was a public event. Well therefore is this day emphatically called Epiphany, that is, Appearing or Manifestation.

The Persons who chiefly figure in this narrative were Gentiles. The Law was exclusive; yet not wholly, for it allowed proselytes. The temple itself was built on the threshing-floor of a Jebusite, and the materials were brought from Tyre. But the Gospel shows its purely catholic character at the very outset. The whole world has an interest in the King of the Jews.

These persons were Easterns. The East is the origin of the human race, the first seat of all that is noble, of all that is base in man. There were the greatest tyrannies and the most complete freedom; there the earliest literature and science, there witchcraft and divination; there the primitive worship, and there the oldest idolatries. Though much folly had flowed thence, here is an importation of wisdom. If the Eastern springs be purified, it will sweeten the streams

of the West.

God often draws men to

These persons were wise men. Himself by means of their calling:-David from the sheepfolds; Simon and His fellows by draughts of fish; the centurion (Matt. viii. 9) by notions of military discipline, and these astronomers by a star.

They were truly wise. False wisdom leads from Christ; true wisdom to Him. The wisest thing which these wise men ever undertook was this journey to Jerusalem.

Think not that the stars or the stones of science will lead the wise any whither but to Him who is the Wisdom and the Word. All the beams of the firmament are rays of this original luminary; all the lessons of nature, obscurer parts of the one grand harmony.

They were wise men, and therefore they sought wisdom. "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given." The fool will not seek it, for he knows it not; but the wise will-he has tasted, and desires more.

These wise men came from the East, in search of Christ, with the purpose of worshipping Him.

See their inducement. We have seen His star. To see a star was a thing of nature; to know that it was His was a gift of God. Their faith; faith in His birth and in His Kingship. Where is He that is born King of the Jews?

Their obedience. We are come to worship Him. They are truly wise who are willing to obey, though obedience involve a journey; to encounter inconvenience, toil and danger, for the sake of reaching the Saviour and worshipping the Lord of the soul.

Their perseverance. First, they apply at Jerusalem, as the most likely place. The authorities there, though they could help them by information, could not lead them to the King. Then, undiscouraged at this opening failure, they proceed to Bethlehem.

Their success. The sign which at first prompted their journey, now becomes their guide. This fills them with joy; but when they see the Child, we may well suppose their joy rises to its height.

Their devotion. They fell down and worshipped Him. To lead us to the worship of Christ, the stars shine in heaven, and the Bible on earth. All nature tends thither. Revelation tends thither. It is the end of all things. It was the end of their journey.

Their devotion was discerning; they were wise men. They were not offended at the King's meanness. Chrysostom (on Matt.) says: "His mother was not crowned with a diadem, nor lying on a golden couch; but had hardly a single garment, and that not for ornament but for covering; such as was possible for a country carpenter's wife. If they had come seeking an earthly king, they would have been confounded rather than rejoiced; since they would have undergone their laborious journey in vain. But now, since they sought a heavenly King, though they saw nothing royal about Him, yet content with the witness of the star alone, their eyes rejoiced at the sight of an insignificant boy, since the Spirit in their hearts showed Him to be venerable; therefore they fall down and worship-they seo humanity, and they acknowledge God."

Their worship was twofold. (1) Spiritual, for their whole behaviour and speech testify their sincerity. (2) Bodily, they fell down. Man's body and spirit were both made by the Lord, and both must worship Him. Tell us not that you love your friend if you give no outward sign of pleasure at his presence, if you withhold the warm grasp of the hand, the best greeting of eye and tongue. If you are worshipping Christ, imitate these wise men, and fall on your knees.

Their worship, moreover, was costly. They opened their treasures. Words cost nothing; to bend the knee is easy; but to give up valuable property is a proof of sincerity. Giving, from the days of Abel to the last offertory, has been regarded as an indispensable part of Divine worship. Open then your treasures. It was symbolical, for their gifts were gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Wise men have ever delighted in symbolism. The gold signified His royalty, the frankincense His Deity, the myrrh His mortal humanity.

So in our worship there is symbolism of express Divine institution, and symbolical worship is most provocative of devotion.

It is sad that the zeal of some should ever terrify others, and then lead them to hypocrisy, and at last to cruelty. So it was with Herod. At first he was troubled; then he betook himself to cunning: Bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. Finally, he devised and executed the slaughter of Bethlehem.

Let us imitate, not Herod in his alarm, cunning and madness, but the wise men. Let us learn Christ from nature and revelation. We have all had sufficient signs of His existence and His majesty to awaken our attention, and to render seeking and worshipping Him a binding duty. Let us copy their faith, obedience, perseverance and discerning devotion. We are spared long, toilsome and dangerous journies. Christ is at hand. The search is easier, and success is as certain. We need hardly ask, " Where is He?" The place is evident. Let us come and worship-with our hearts, our persons, our property. Then shall we share the reward of the wise men. For our (( coming" we shall be welcomed; for our "falling down" we shall be exalted; and for our 66 'gifts" we shall be endowed with endless joy and

immortality.

The Preacher's Finger-Post.

INFLUENTIAL MEDITATIONS.

"When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."-Ps. lxiii. 6.

Of all the operations of man, none is more important than that of meditation. By thought, man subordinates

the world to his use, brings the Infinite near to his soul, moulds his own character, and decides his own destiny. The text directs attention to meditation in its most influential aspect.

I. IT IS DIRECTED TO THE