be such as it would have acquired by gravity alone, in falling through half the radius of the circle.

But when it is considered that all the planets and their satellites in the solar system revolve round the sun,- what a prodigious attractive power must he have to draw them all towards himself! And what amazing power must it have required to put all these planets into such rapid motions at first! Amazing indeed to us, says the enlightened Mr. Ferguson, because impossible to be effected by the strength of all the living creatures in an unlimited number of worlds: but noways hard for the Almighty; whose planetarium comprehends the universe.

6. The final cause, or object of creation, gives equal proofs of the being and perfections of the Creator.

Every intelligent artist works in reference to some end. Such an exertion of skill and energy as appears in the works of creation, must have had for its object, what was sufficient to justify such exertion. It is not enough to say, that he made all his works to show forth his glory. He had no need to contemplate his own works to be satisfied with the exertion of his power and wisdom. This would suppose that his gratification depended on his own work. He needs not the exertions of his eternal power and Godhead to minister to or augment his happiness; for, although he cannot but be pleased with every work of his hands, as all that he has created is very good, yet is was not for this end; but it was in reference to a great design, that they were created and still subsist. This design was the formation and eternal beatification of intelligent beings. He therefore made MAN in his own image, and in his own likeness; he made him immortal, rational, and holy. He endowed him with intellectual powers of the most astonishing compass. He made him capable of knowing the Author of his being in the glory of his perfections, and of deriving unutterable happiness from this knowledge. He rendered him capable of ascertaining the motions of the planets, and the laws by which they are governed; capable of numbering the stars, and weighing the sun. He has given him an understanding, by which he walks though the heavens, and analyses every part of the globe that is under his feet. In a word, he has set him over all the works of his hands, and put all things living under his authority. All sheep and oxen, with whatsoever walks through the paths of the deep. He has given him that knowledge which is power; by which both the animate and inanimate creation is brought under his dominion, and becomes obedient to his will. Such a being alone is capable of contemplating the works of God, and deriving the highest pleasure from this contemplation. The formation of such a being, even for this purpose sufficiently justifies the exertions of the Divine power and wisdom in the creation of the heavens and the earth.

But we shall see this more clearly, when we consider the fulness of his design in the creation of man. He made him immortal, a transcript of his own eternity. He cannot wholly die-cannot be annihilated; but must exist, and exist intellectually, to all eternity. He has made him holy, that he might be for ever capable of union with HIM who is the source and fountain of all purity. And his

eternal happiness is to consist in his eternal union with this being; seeing him as he is, knowing him in his own light, and endlessly receiving additional degrees of knowledge and happiness out of his fulness. To manifest his goodness and kindness yet more he has designed that man should propagate his own kind, and multiply on the earth for thousands of years. Thus, innumerable immortal spirits are brought into being, in reference to each of which God has the same gracious design. An eternal spirit, such as that of man, is of infinite value; and has been justly said to be of more worth than the whole terraqueous globe, with all the suns and planets which God has formed. And if one such spirit outvalue all these,-of what worth must innumerable spirits of this kind be! To create such spirits, of such powers, for such an end, demonstrates an infinite kindness, as well as an infinite skill; and thus these works of God in their final cause, or the object of their creation, give demonstration of the existence and perfections of that being by whom they were formed.

It is no solid objection to this argument, that man has fallen from God and happiness, into sin and misery. This does not at all affect the design of God. The fall was no part of his design: he made not Death, neither hath pleasure in the destruction of the living. But he foresaw this; and to remedy the evil, in his vast love to the world, God gave his only begotten Son, to the end that they who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And although sin has entered into the world, and death by sin; in consequence of which, we must needs die, and are as water spilt upon the ground that cannot be gathered up again; yet God hath devised means that his banished should not be expelled from him. And to accomplish this end, Jesus Christ assumed human nature, and by the grace of God tasted death for every man. He has sent his Spirit and Gospel into the world to convince men of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and offers a free and full salvation from sin and all its consequences, to every soul of man. By this dispensation of mercy and goodness, millions of millions of immortal spirits have already been saved; millions more are now on their way to glory; and this work shall go on till the earth shall be no more. All may be saved; for God has not doomed a single soul to eternal perdition; and the eternal restoration of even one of these immortal souls is a sufficient justification of God's work in the creation, while even foreseeing the lapse of man. Thus, the works of God give demonstration of the Being already described.

(To be continued. )

HOW TO OBTAIN A REVIVAL OF RELIGION.

RECENTLY we have received, from two highly esteemed friends, communications relating to the spiritual state of our societies, and designed to promote a revival of the work of God. One of these is specially addressed to the itinerant preachers; and it contains many truthful and important remarks. Yet we are of opinion that, if we

were to give it insertion, it would probably encourage some of those persons who are disposed to lay to the account of the travelling preachers all the blame of want of prosperity. We are aware, that on them devolves a large amount of responsibility; and we hope that it is deeply felt by them. We are, however, of opinion, that some persons expect more from their preachers than they ought to expect, and cast blame upon them when it is not deserved. We must, therefore, guard against giving encouragement to the opinion, that "it is ever in the power of the itinerant preachers in every circuit to secure a sufficient number of able and willing co-operators, in seeking the glory of God and the salvation of men.' If this were the case it would ever be their fault, if the societies were not in a state of constant health, vigour, and prosperity.

The other communication, to which we have referred, is specially addressed to class leaders, and to others who might and ought to sustain that office. Its writer regards the prosperity of our societies, as mainly dependant upon the proper discharge of the duties of the office of leaders. He designates the leaders, "the great wheel,”

the main spring of all our movements,"" the soul of our cause.' Many of the remarks of this correspondent are excellent; but, we think that others of them are open to objections, we, therefore, shall, instead of giving insertion to his communication, revise, and reprint in our following pages, the excellent advice of the late James Wood, addressed to class leaders; a document to which our correspondent has referred with deserved commendation.

To promote a Revival of the work of God in our societies ought to be, the earnest desire and constant endeavour of all its officers and members. To obtain this

1. Let every preacher, itinerant and local, every class leader, and every other society officer, and every member of the Society, faithfully engage in the duty of self-examination. Let each one carefully en

quire into the present state of personal experience. Let each one enquire, Am I in a converted state? Have I the witness of the Spirit of God to my adoption? Am I making progress in the Divine life? Is my love to God, my zeal for his glory, as full and ardent as ever? Am I living to God, and for God, as I ought? Are my motives such as my conscience and God approve? Am I earnestly seeking to become in all things conformed to the will of God, and the image of Christ? Can I say with the apostle Paul, "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?" Let these and other suitable enquiries be pressed home upon the conscience, and let the answer given be, such as a faithful regard to truth, and the solemn importance of these enquiries, demand.

2. Let every one properly humble himself, or herself, before God. If the duty of self-examination be faithfully performed, there are very few persons, if any, who will not find much cause of humiliation before God. Some will find that they have not only neglected the interests of their own souls, but, that they have also been injurious to others; and have spread around them a spiritual contagion, which

perhaps has in some instances proved fatal. Others may learn, that they have been seeking their own glory, when they ought to have sacrificed self, and sought only the glory of God; and thus have grieved the good Spirit of God, and prevented the means which they have employed from receiving the Divine sanction. Some may find, that after having for a long time professed to be disciples of Christ, that they have made little or no progress in divine knowledge, or divine conformity. With some, it may be doubtful whether they have not lost all the religion they once possessed; and with others the evidence may be too conclusive, to admit of doubt, that they are only whited walls and painted sepulchres, destitute of the life of God, and of all spiritual enjoyment. O that all who read these remarks may deeply humble themselves before God, and sincerely and faithfully confess their sins, faults, and short-comings unto him.

3. Let all unite in offering fervent, persevering, believing, effectual prayer to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, to impart unto us individually and unitedly all the blessings of salvation which we require. If prayer be neglected we shall in vain expect to see prosperity. To prosper in our own souls, we must live in the spirit of prayer; and frequently enter into our closet, and pray to our Father who seeth in secret, and then he will reward us openly. It is also very important, that we should often unite in social and public prayer. The late Annual Assembly has recommended our societies to observe, the 14th of October, as a day of special fasting, humiliation, supplication, and intercession; and if this be properly attended to, we are persuaded that, the results will be very beneficial. We hope that arrangements will be made by all our societies duly to observe this day, and that all our members will endeavour to attend the meetings to be held at their respective chapels, and unitedly pour out their souls to God in earnest prayer. We would also remind our readers, that it is very important, they should continue frequently to avail themselves of opportunities for offering united prayer. Whenever a religious society is in a prosperous state, prayer meetings are well attended. A prosperous Christian is much engaged in prayer, and a prosperous church, is a church whose members frequently unite in offering social and public prayer. May God, in his infinite mercy, pour out upon us the spirit of grace and supplication-and may we wrestle with him in mighty prayer, for a glorious revival of his work in us, and amongst us.

4. Let all our preachers, and all our other officers, and other members, resolve unitedly to endeavour to promote the prosperity of the cause of God. UNITED exertions are indispensable in order to our success. The principal hinderances to union of effort are, a want of confidence in each other, and an improper striving for equality, or mastery. These evils exist, and they require to be faithfully exposed; but it requires much firmness and prudence properly to bring them to light, and exhibit their hideous deformity and baneful effects. To secure unity of operation, it is important, that each individual should be in his proper position-and that all should direct their energies to the accomplishment of the same purposes.

In every department of the service of the church, the ministers of

the Gospel ought to take the lead; especially those to whom, according to the rules and usages of all the Methodist churches, the general charge or oversight is committed. To obtain the co-operation of the other officers and members of the church, ministers must carefully guard against a lordly, dictatorial demeanour. It neither becomes them to act as lords over God's heritage, nor to conduct themselves with unbecoming obsequiousness. To maintain unity in the church, they must conduct themselves, so as to deserve to be respected, and then, if it should be needful, they may teach any who behave disrespectfully towards them, that they act contrary to the law of Christ.

In order, that there may be unity in the church, its ministers must be respected, and be treated with confidence. The cherishing of a spirit of jealously by the members of any community, towards those who occupy the most important positions, is contrary to the spirit of unity, and is likely to be productive of discord, and diverse or opposing operations tend to its destruction. Happily for our Societies, there is amongst us the least possible cause for the existence of jealousy of the improper exercise of ministerial power. The guards and checks provided by the regulations governing our ministry, are in this respect, an ample security. If ministers are conscious that, those to whom they minister entertain suspicion towards them, or are jealous of their having rightful influence, it must be painful to their minds, and will hinder their usefulness. Such of our officers as are connected with the management of those of our Sunday schools, which are not yet formally connected with our churches, by recognising our itinerant ministers as entitled to take a part with them in the management of their schools, have now an opportunity of evincing their respect for the Annual Assembly of the representatives of our Connexion, and their esteem for, and confidence in our itinerant ministers, by complying with the recommendations of the last Annual Assembly relating to Sunday schools. We have heard of one instance in which, on referring to those recommendations, jealousies and suspicions have been uttered; we hope, however, for the sake of the credit, and weal of our Connexion, that such instances will be very rare; and that ere long those few who indulge them will be led to discern their error, and see that such feelings and conduct is dishonorable, and injurious to themselves, and highly detrimental to the unity and prosperity of the church of Christ.*

* Since this was written, our Correspondent Q. Q., whose communication appeared in our July number, has sent us a letter, from which we think it right to give the following extract:

"As to the Sunday school subject, it occupies very much of my thoughts. The contents of your 'Editoral remarks,' quite surprised me! I had no idea that so unsound and unseemly a state of things existed in any of our schools. It ought to be, it must be remedied. A word to you, Sir, by the way on this subject, I am very apprehensive that some of our esteemed ministers do not bring under the notice of the official meetings, as they ought to do (in some cases, not at all), the admirable resolutions and recommendations of the Annual Assembly' and Connexional Committee meetings,' upon this subject. This is much to be regretted, our people must be awakened to the importance of this subject, and our Preachers must do it."