to say with Paul: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

It is ever one of the most false and inappropriate measures to use force and compulsive means against prevailing opinions and predominant convictions. History confirms the fact that imprudent rulers by so doing always defeated their own object, and gave to the opinions hated by them, a support in the might and power of enthusiasm which conquered and gained every thing. This has, time out of mind, been the case not only in religious, but also in civil affairs. How can it be otherwise, with the defence of the most sacred interests of mankind against the malice of superstition, rudeness, or selfish policy?

The quiet inspiration of the persecuted Christians which now changed into fanaticism, made, for the first time, Christianity to triumph. It was considered as the highest fortune-as the most becoming departure from life, to be a witness unto blood of Divine Truth. Long was the remembrance of those who had gained the crown of martyrdom honoured in prayers, and songs, and writings; on the other hand, they who yielded to the Heathen, or had denied Jesus Christ, met with long-continued scorn. The Heathen saw with wonder the cheerfulness of the believers in torments, and at the hour of death-no Heathen could die thus for his

faith. They saw that the innocent, the nobleminded, the most respected, and the wisest persons, were put to death without being guilty of any offence. This must have brought many an one to compassionate seriousness-many an one to meditation-many an one to inquiry what Christianity really was. But the inquiry was at once sufficient of itself to alter the whole mind of men. wisdom of Jesus-the truth of His doctrine-the excellence of the virtues recommended by Him, seized on the judgment of the inquirer. He was proud and glad to become a confessor of the longexpected Light of the world.

The

After the rage of the Jews, at Golgotha, had murdered the Divine Friend of man-there remained at Jerusalem above a hundred of His followers, determined to resign their life for His holy faith. After a hundred Christians had died for the sake of this doctrine, a thousand preached the truth in their stead. When a thousand were slain, a million of believers were numbered in the Church.

It is easily comprehended that in times and countries like ours, when the Christianity of the heart has too much become a mere Christianity of the tongue-so high an inspiration as that of the pious martyrs cannot be estimated in its full desert and greatness. It is to be comprehended, that people who yet imagine themselves to be disciples of

Jesus, but out of pride, or vanity, or pleasure, or convenience, more than once a day neglect their most sacred duty-and thus neglect Jesus Christ himself should be amazed at the courage of the martyrs. It is to be understood, that some people should find it incredible-people who, for the sake of making the smallest profit, or for a trifling consideration, or out of ill-will towards this or that person, dare to take unjust measures, and to set aside all religious feeling. To the coward all bravery is incredible-to the wicked all virtue is enthusiasm or hypocrisy.

But you, ye noble Sacrifices-ye conscientious, pious sufferers for truth-ye Martyrs to my holy faith, you shall ever be revered and beloved by me. Your ashes are long ago consumed; but ye still live in eternity, and in the remembrance of God. If I cannot endure like you, may I live with courage like you;-as guiltless and without blame before God and man. I have no rack, no torture, no burning piles to fear for the sake of Jesus. Mine is, by the grace of God, the happier lot to dwell under enlightened magistrates and wise laws. But when I suffer any kind of evil for right, for truth, for virtue, is it not to suffer for the sake of Jesus?

And when men sneer and mock at my sense of true Christianity in words and deeds, is not

that sickness of my heart a sweet pain, such as you once, illustrious Martyrs, felt with transport?

Faithful to my Saviour, I will be, like you, courageous through life-cheerful in dangersteadfast in trial. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!”

XXXIX.

THE FIRST CHURCHES.

1 CORINTHIANS xiv. 40.

"Let all things be done decently and in order.”

WHEN Jesus Christ instructed His disciples, however great the number of His hearers might be, there was not yet any particular place of assembly for them. Sometimes the Messiah taught in the Temple at Jerusalem-sometimes in the courts of it— and at others in the open fields. He instituted, however, outward signs of communion and discipleship,-seals of the Covenant of Grace-because He knew the worth of sensible means in awakening the mind to pious thoughts:

Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

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these signs are But the inward token by which His followers were to be known, was LOVE. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." And so also thought St. Paul. As Christ placed Charity, or Love, above all outward privileges, so did the Apostle; for he thus writes of it to the