to water the seed disseminated by the faithful minister. Others were inclined to hear, and made to feel, the power of divine truth. A church was formed, the congregation increased, the handful of corn was greatly multiplied,-the little one became a thousand. The cry then was,-Lengthen the cords, and strengthen the stakes. Thus, like this cloud, they were collected to scatter blessings all around. Not only on this little hill, but upon individuals and families around them; the showers have come down in their season, even showers of blessings; while fresh converts have sprung up as the grass, or have flourished as willows by the water-courses.

Like this cloud, the diffusion of happiness in the world has originated from very small beginnings. Witness the first introduction of the gospel in Judea, and afterwards into Britain; and witness societies, which have been formed and succeeded, for the spread of the gospel,-the promoting of religious knowledge, or the sending of Missionaries to the Heathen: others, for distributing Bibles at home and abroad, in our fleets and our armies and who can tell but the humiliations and prayers of the late fast-day may be productive of extensive blessings, hastening on that day, when all the kingdoms of the earth shall submit themselves to Jesus Christ, and the world be filled with his glory. Blessed day! when peace shall look down from Heaven, and war shall no longer desolate the earth!

While that cloud of gospel-grace, which originally appeared in Judea, has extended itself even to us, let us severally enquire whether, as individuals, it has proved to our souls a shower of mercy, which, bringing salvation, maketh barren hearts fruitful?

Let us also take notice of the connection there is between prayer and providence.---View this in the abolition of the Slave-Trade; in the prosperity of the gospel in particular places; and in the spread of it in the world. Though the Saviour be yet clothed with a cloud, soon will he shine forth, as the sun in its strength, and then all the nations of the earth will see and rejoice in the salvation of our God. AGNUS.

ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE BODY AT THE RESURRECTION.

"THE trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." To this change it is impossible for the thoughts of the believer too frequently to advert. In proportion to the attention we give the subject, will our minds be struck with a view of its grandeur and importance. Desirous of becoming increasingly acquainted with every doctrine of divine truth; of obtaining more expanded, more distinct views

of what we feel and acknowledge to be of supreme importance, we rejoice that we have the Scriptures to guide us in all our en quiries, which never fail to give to the humble and enquiring mind all the information it can desire,-all that is necessary for spiritual improvement and education.

The gospel of Christ opens a new world,-it draws aside the curtain of futurity, and we are struck with a disclosure of the great realities of the other world. Life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel. The resurrection of the dead, independent of the wonderful circumstances with which it is connected, is an event wonderfully strange :-the bare idea is enough to overwhelm the human mind. But what are those circumstances connected with it? Behold, He who is the resurrection and the life, whose voice shall awake the sleeping dead, and raise them from their beds of death, in which for ages they have rested,-He will effect a change in their bodies, glorions beyond all description, beyond the utmost stretch of conception. Not by any long-laboured process, but in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye!

Does the Christian ask, What, then, shall our bodies be like? Paul answers the question, Phil. iii. 21. Who shall change these vile bodies, and make them like unto his own glorious body.Like unto his own glorious body! What Christian can read these words without being filled with surprize and admiring gratitude! If we turn to the account given us of our Lord's transfiguration, Matt. xvii. we shall find ourselves not left to uncertain conjecture, as to his glorious body,-what now it is, and what our bodies hereafter shall be. Is it not probable, that the transfigu ration was designed, at least in part, to give a representation of Jesus in his glorified state? His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Now, it is asserted by the apostle, that the bodies of the saints shall be made like unto his : and is it possible that these bodies of our humiliation should become so glorious? Let the voice of rejoicing be heard in the tabernacle of the righteous,---for it shall be so, our God hath spoken it. Now, indeed, we are reminded, by every circum stance connected with our present state of existence, that these bodies which we inhabit are vile bodies, in a lamentable state of degradation. How frequently is the body the subject of long and wasting disease,-of excruciating pains! How often does it prove a clog to the soul, damping the ardour of its devotions, retarding its progress, and checking its flight toward Heaven! How much is it the seat of vile passions and unhallowed pro pensities! often sadly deformed, easily shattered and broken down, carrying along with it principles of dissolution, which bring it to dishonourable corruption in the grave,-there to be insulted, as it were, by the meanest reptiles that crawl!-Did our prospect here terminate, nothing could be more gloomy! But we look forward :-these bodies shall be changed-these bo

dies, which sin has robbed of all honour, and clothed with every badge of disgrace,-these bodies shall be made like unto Christ's glorious body,

Struck with a view of the greatness of the change, the diffi culties that stand in the way, perhaps the Christian is ready to ask,-How can it be accomplished? State your difficulties, and let us see if they will not al vanish before what the Scriptures say upon this point. The dismemberment of the component ports of the body, its particles, it may be, are dispersed into every quarter of the globe. Intermixed with, and forming a part of other bodies, how is it possible for all the particles that belong to that body, to be collected and united? Do you believe, that with God all things are possible?-Then recollect, that what is impossible with men, is not so with him. And if he was able at first, from the dust of the earth, to form bodies so strangely, so wonderfully, so exquisitely constructed, as ours are, he will find no difficulty in collecting and uniting their component parts in that day of which we speak. But, it may be added, the body, while in the grave, seems under the total dominion of death, and is in that state which bears evident marks of being a state of punishment; for, by sin, death entered into the world. How then shall it be delivered? This difficulty disappears, when the obedience and death of Jesus, with his glorious resurrection, as the surety and representative of his people, is taken into consideration. He rose as the first fruits: Death could not detain our glorious Head within his dominions, nor shall he be able to hold in subjection, beyond the appointed moment, one of his members. They are already risen representatively; And as the Lord our Saviour rose,

So all his followers must.

ད

Is it still stated, as a difficulty, that the change is so extraor dinarily great, as almost to stagger belief? Yes; it is indeed great, and greater still than we can even imagine. If the Scriptures did not present us with an agent who, we are convinced, is more than adequate to the production of this change, the accomplishment of it might be disputed. But there can be no dispute; and every difficulty ought to be obviated, on hearing an apostle use this language, when speaking on this sublime and deeply interesting subject," According to the working, whereby he is able, even to subdue all things unto himself." More than this, the believer cannot desire. This answers every question, and fully satisfies his mind. Our Jesus is almighty. What enemy is he unable to subdue? Already he has bruised Satan's head; already he has obtained a signal victory over death, and, ere long, he will be its final destruction. Shouts of victory shall issue from the lips of millions upon millions! The saints shall rise and shine; shine with a lustre beyond the splendor of the sun's meridian blaze, and shall have dominion! Let the poor body, then, be sown in corruption, it shall be

raised in incorruption; sown in dishonour, it shall be raised in glory; sown in weakness, it shall be raised in power; sown a natural body, it shall be raised a spiritual body.-Such shall these bodies of our humiliation then be,-incorruptible, glorious, powerful, and spiritual bodies!

The subject will produce a train of important thoughts in the believing mind: nor will he fail practically to improve it: he will feel the subject operate as a stimulus to increasing purity of heart, for he that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself;

will seek, under the influences of almighty grace, to become increasingly holy. Under all his pains, afflictions, weaknesses, and temptations, he will draw strong consolation from a prospect of this glorious transformatiou, when he shall be invaded by pains, afflictions, and temptations no more! when he shall be what he could wish, and have what he could wish,-be like, and be with him for ever. By dwelling much upon the subject, he will find it also to operate in disarming death of of its terrors, and fortifying his mind against its approach. "Break sacred morning through the skies, Bring that delightful, dreadful day; Cut short the hours, dear Lord, and come, Thy ling'ring wheels, how long they stay!"

many

Leeds.

W. F.

AN USEFUL SUGGESTION

IN BEHALF OF YOUNG MINISTERS.

Dear Sir,

To the Editor.

As your valuable Magazine is often made the medium through which plans of general utility are suggested,to the reli gious public, I hope that no apology is necessary for introducing a few hints for the consideration of those opulent characters who are concerned for the diffusion of gospel-truth.

It is an undeniable fact, that no one, in ordinary cases, is likely to prove successful beyond his qualifications. It is equally plain, that it is a matter of the last importance for a minister of the gospel to be thoroughly furnished with suitable means. The sacred Scriptures, indeed, are the grand depositories of divine truth, and contain every thing necessary to make us wise unto salvation. But, even these holy pages, record many things which are "hard to be understood," and which cannot be fully apprehended without adventitious aid. Besides, in these days of refinement and science, something more is necessary, in order to acquire attention, than a bare knowledge of scriptural doctrines. Hence the utility of our academical institutions for the education of young men for the ministry.

But, however well disposed, it is sufficiently obvious, that no

one can attend to study without the means.

And as, for the

most part, those young men, who are admitted into our seminaries, are in circumstances far remote from affluence, it often happens that, in after-life, their opportunities of usefulness are contracted by a want of those sources, which their finances are not sufficient to obtain.

It is true that, during their residence at the Academy, they may enjoy free access to an extensive library; but, as their continuance is limited, they cannot be supposed to derive all those advantages which are so-desirable.

Divine Providence may cast their lot amongst congregations whose abilities, in pecuniary matters, are but very small. An attention to prudence, so important and ornamental to a Christian minister, may have prevented them from purchasing many volumes; and they thus find themselves bereaved of their former conveniences, without having a prospect of resources of their

own.

This, I humbly conceive, to be no small evil, both as it relates to their own improvement, and to the advantage of the church of God. It may not, therefore, be thought altogether unworthy of the attention of the rich, and especially amongst Protestant Dissenters, to consider whether this evil may not, at least, in a considerable degree, be removed by their means.

Were they to preseat to deserving young men such works as are calculated to inform and instruct (and particuliarly to those young men who are patronized by the churches to which they belong) they would undoubtedly gratify their own feelings, manifest a regard to the sacred profession, and promote the cause of God our Saviour.

If these hints should be thought not altogether unworthy of regard, their insertion in your esteemed Publication will much oblige, dear Sir,

your most obedient Servant,

QUISQUAM.

A WORD IN SEASON..

Honour all men, love the brotherhood,feur God, honour the king. - 1 Peter ii. 17.

A REFERENCE to these exhortations can never be unseasonable; and it probably can never be more necessary than at the time of a general election in our country. Such a crisis presents strong temptations to the breach of every one of these commandments. In the violence of party contentions, the respect that is due to all our fellow-subjects, the peculiar affection which we owe to our brethren in Christ, the veneration in which we

Rr