the other party is journeying to perdition." This is indeed dreadful, and is of itself sufficient to occasion no small diminution of conjugal felicity. If, however, the comfort of the parties only were concerned it would be a matter of less consequence; but it is a matter of conscience, and an affair in which we have no option. "She is at liberty to marry whom she will, but only in the Lord."

There are various other circumstances of a prudential nature which ought to regulate Christians in forming the marriage union, if they would wish to make it subservient to their lasting happiness. There is a similarity of age, station, disposition, taste, and pursuit, which are intimately connected with the proper formation of that union. On these, however, we do not enter, our present object being to consider it exclusively in reference to obligations of a religious nature.

To acknowledge the Lord in this important undertaking is not only to seek his guidance, but to ascertain what his will is, and to comply with it. This we have now endeavoured to assist you, dear friends, to determine, and shall conclude by presenting a few motives enforcing obedience to the divine injunction to "marry only in the Lord."

First. Consider the obligation under which you are laid to obey God.

When we call to remembrance the unspeakable goodness of the Father of mercies in providing redemption for us through the blood of his Son, we cannot too deeply feel the debt of gratitude we owe to him; and the language of every heart in some measure impressed with the greatness of the love of God, and the blessedness of that salvation which flows from it, is, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" If the mind be under the influence of this generous principle, a regard to the authority of our heavenly Father will triumph over our

VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES.

natural inclinations. The prospect of any gratification of a worldly nature will yield to the divine will when it is opposed to it. And how absent, then, must this feeling of gratitude be from the heart of that individual who never once thinks of inquiring whether the relationship which he or she is about to form be such as shall receive the approbation of God? Or who can voluntarily join hands with a person who gives no evidence of being a believer in Christ? We have no hesitation in affirming that the state of the affections, in regard to unseen and eternal things, is far from being what it ought to be, when there is manifested such forgetfulness of the divine will.

It is well remarked by a certain writer, whose name I know not, "It is not in the moment of grateful attachment to the Father of mercies that we think of making a league with his enemies, this treachery occurs in the hour of forgetfulness, when the heart is cold and barren-when formality occupies the throne of religion, and when nothing is seen but the semblance of piety."

Secondly. Let a compliance with the injunction to "marry only in the Lord," be further enforced by a regard to your own spiritual interests. The apostle asks the Corinthians, when reproving them for associating with idolaters, "What communion hath light with darkness? What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

If a believer who violates the divine will by uniting in marriage with an unbeliever, continues attached to the religion of Jesus, he or she will experience the truth of the apostle's statement, that there can be no communion between them. The one knows nothing of the spiritual enjoyments and sorrows of the other. That which is the object of the affections on the part of one is disrelished and, it may be, hated by the

other. In the days of trial and dark- | the Israelites in calamities of the most

ness, the unhappiness of such a union is particularly felt. The two cannot unite together at the throne of grace, for they have not the same source of consolation. While partaking of common sufferings they have no spiritual sympathy with each other; nor have they that strength and support which spring from mutually unburdening themselves in the presence of a common Father, and thus obtaining the grace that is needful for both "in the time of need." But would that this were all. It is far from being so. We have proceeded on the supposition that the professed believer remains stedfast in the truth, but this is a favourable view of the case. Such firm adherence to Christ does not often occur when an individual forms an alliance with an unbeliever. Accustomed daily to observe a disregard to the fear of God, and sometimes very marked displays of opposition to the truth; and having, perhaps, in addition, to contend with obstacles to the observance of divine institutions thrown purposely in the way, examples are not wanting in which his or her interest in the gospel and its blessings has gradually declined, and ended in apostacy from the holy profession once so hopefully made. A melancholy exhibition of the awful consequences of yielding to personal inclination, in preference to complying with the divine precept "to marry only in the Lord." Let the young, therefore, take warning. When I look to facts I speak not too strongly in affirming, that should you disobey the will of God in entering into the marriage union with those who fear Him not, you peril the eternal welfare of your immortal souls. By consulting the Old Testament you will find that alliances were the means of introducing the wickedness which led to the destruction of the old world by a flood of waters; and that they often involved

fearful kind, by turning their hearts away from the Lord their God. And were the history of the churches of Christ equally well known, it would be found that they have led many to "make shipwreck of the faith, and of a good conscience," and have thus occasioned the loss of all that is dear to them as rational and immortal beings.

Various are the causes to which the decline of piety in the churches of Christ have been ascribed. I am satisfied that a disregard of the will of Christ in reference to the marriage union is one. It introduces coldness and irreligion to professed societies of saints, and spreads a withering influence around. It blights spiritual life, and grieves the Holy Spirit of God. I quote on this subject the following important remarks of Mr. Jay of Bath, "How deplorable is it, that this Christian rule of marriage is so frequently trampled upon! The violation of it is, in the degree of it, at least peculiar to our own age. Our pious ancestors, especially among the nonconformists, would have been shocked at the practice, as appears from their invaluable writings. And I am persuaded that it is very much owing to the prevalence of these indiscriminate and unhallowed connexions that we have fallen so far short of those men of God who went before us, in our seclusion from the world, in the simplicity of our manners, in the uniformity of our profession, in the discharge of family worship, and in the training up of our households in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Thirdly. We would, lastly, enforce obedience to the divine will in regard to marriage by the consideration of its inseparable connexion with family religion. Unless the parties united feel the power of the truth, the duties enjoined on husbands and wives cannot be performed. And as it respects the

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

THE PITIFUL REDEEMER.

"The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

THE pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Whose mighty arm his chosen ones redeems: Who clave for Judah's sons dark Egypt's sea,

And bore them harmless through its secret streams;

Along the waste their every want supplied,

And planted Israel's vine on Zion's mountain-side.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Whose covenant love was long ere time began,
Who cried with holy earnestness, “ I'll be

Thy helper, thy deliverer, O man!
The costly ransom-price will I discharge,
And in redemption's fulness set thy soul at large."

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Who left the honours of his royal seat;
Came forth the captive from his bonds to free,

The deaf to wake with tone and tidings sweet;

To give the blind the glorious beams of day,

And call the death-struck back from their cold couch of clay.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Whom garden shades at midnight watch o'erhung,
When on thy greensward, sad Gethsemane,

His holy soul with agony was wrung;

And angel pinions bore a bright One down,

With Heaven's enduring strength his weakness-hour to crown.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Whom the rude rabble made their impious scorn,
With seeming emblems of his dignity,

Sceptre of reed, and diadem of thorn!

Who bore the cross before the gathering crowd,

Till on its front transfixed, he suffered, bled, and bowed.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Who rose, and glory's upward path retraced;
And lives, believing soul, to plead for thee,

His far yet fellow pilgrim on life's waste,
Sharing with thee thine every tear and sigh,
With sympathy so sweet Love will not let it die.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Whose everlasting arms are round thee still,
When tossed upon the tempest-driven sea,
Or climbing wearily the toilsome hill,

Or combatting with sorrow's legion host,

Or launching from the shore of death's surge-beaten coast.

The pitiful Redeemer! Such is he,

Jesus, the One in all, the All in one;

To thee, compassionate High-Priest, to thee,
We give the glory thou for us hast won;

Thy pitying love and tenderness divine,

Are they not ever fixed on each dear child of thine?

August, 1849.

J. T.

CHRONOLOGICAL PAGE FOR SEPTEMBER, 1849.