its sheets of gold, and precious stones, the sun in forms of brilliancy that might rival its own-every pathway on the mountain thronged with happy worshippers-and the thrilling tones of their music as they ascend, in solemn procession-and we can hardly ask for any thing more grand or impressive. And yet mark how the imagination of the prophet dilates on this sublime imagery; and what an inexpressible grandeur he makes his subject to possess, as he rises upward on the wings of his inspiration. He glances his eye into coming time, and, wrapt in transport, gazes on the blissful prospect that there opens upon him. Then, with the picture of the temple and its worship full on his thoughts, he raises by his description, the mountain on which that temple stands, above all other mountains, and establishes it upon their loftiest summit, the most conspicuous object of attraction and delight to the whole earth. The coloring is altogether so vivid and striking, that we are insensibly borne along with him, and led to contemplate with a similar emotion the same delightful scenes. Our eyes are caught upward to the same heavenly eminence; we see the innumerable crowds of worshippers flocking to the same common and exalted shrine; we hear their happy greetings and holy converse; we behold earth a scene of unbroken beauty and peace, and blending most delightfully with heaven. The whole description is one of unparalleled elegance and magnificence, and after all we can say in its praise, we are still left with feelings too full for utterance.

This single specimen, we may remark in passing, is enough to show that for elevation of thought and grandeur of imagery, the inspired poets are unrivalled; and it utters a severe rebuke upon those who look upon that art as unworthy a pious mind, on which God himself has so strikingly set his seal, and oftentimes chosen as the fittest channel for conveying to the world a knowledge of his truth.

Some have supposed that this prediction was partially, at least, literal-that the temple service was to be re-established, and that all nations were to come and worship at Jerusalem. But such a view of the passage scarcely needs a refutation. It is a description of the spiritual worship of God, which will at last universally prevail. To express this, the prophet uses a figure almost necessarily borrowed from what would be intelligible to the Jews. Like the imagery of all the Hebrew poets, it was familiar, and therefore, though sublime and striking, easily understood. They drew from nature, from real life, and from their institutions, whatever could give beauty to sentiment, and force to illustration, and so interwove these allusions with their most sacred observances, that they could not fail of producing the happiest effect. All that was beautiful and sublime in nature; all that was peculiar in their climate and scenery; all that was grand and magnificent in their national victories; or tender and beautiful in their pastoral life; all that was a subject of grateful or admonitory remembrance in their history, or holy and revered in their religion, was made subservient to this important purpose. So here, the allusion is to the temple and its service, an object constantly before their eyes, and constantly in

their thoughts, and hence peculiarly fitted to strike the imagination. No one, acquainted with these facts, can scarcely be thought to give to this passage a literal interpretation. Such an admission, besides being contrary to the general usage of the inspired writers, would involve the greatest absurdity.

A principle of interpretation thus here arises, which cannot be too much regarded. We first determine that a passage cannot have a literal meaning, because it would be inconsistent with well-known facts and common usage; and then we conclude that its images are employed as its drapery, merely for the purpose of giving it ornament and effect. This is the decision of sober, enlightened com.

mon sense,

The next declaration

From Zion shall go forth the law,

The word of Jehovah from Jerusalem

received its fulfilment strictly at the time the gospel was first promulgated. From Jerusalem the apostles actually went forth, agreeably to the divine commission of their Lord, to preach the gospel to every creature; and thus it became the radiating point of light and truth to all the surrounding nations.

The prophet proceeds:

He shall judge between many peoples.

He shall rebuke strong and distant nations: >

that is, when this happy state of things shall be effected, God himself shall be the arbiter of all national disputes. Hitherto, nations have settled their controversies among themselves, and the consequence has been that they have been settled with tears and blood. But then, all their differences will be referred to God, and will be adjusted by those rules of equity and mutual kindness which are enjoined by the gospel. The result will be universal peace; a condition which is represented by another lively and pertinent figure.

They shall beat their swords into plough-shares,
Their spears into pruning-knives.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war any more.

And every man shall sit under his vine,

And under his fig-tree; and none shall harm.

The mouth of Jehovah of Hosts hath spoken it.

Such is the beautiful description of this happy and blissful period. One might almost think it were a dream of the imagination; the creation of a strong poetic fancy. We, who are accustomed to notice the propensity of mankind to low-born and grovelling pursuits, can hardly be made to believe that they will ever breathe so holy an atmosphere, and dwell amid so pure a light. But yes, it is blissful reality. "Holiness to the Lord," is yet to be written on the most common household utensils, and his glory is to fill the earth. All the dark, deep shadows that now invest us will disap

pear, and the turmoil of strife will be hushed into a placid and ever-during tranquillity.

"The mouth of Jehovah of Hosts hath spoken it."

Here we ground our hopes, and feel the utmost confidence that they are of the calmest and most unimpassioned nature. They are founded on evidences which the most suspecting mind can appreciate, and which the most determined infidelity can never shake.

We love to look forward to visions of such intense glory. We rejoice to know that our belief of this approaching era rests on so immoveable a basis. The emotion it causes is soothing and delightful. We exult in the prospect, and would ever live with reference to it; and as we toil unweariedly on in our labors of piety and love, we will incessantly pray that Heaven may speed it onward.

EDWARDS' NARRATIVE OF REVIVALS.

A Faithful Narrative of the surprising Work of God in the Conversion of many hundred Souls in Northampton, and the neighboring Towns and Villages of New Hampshire, in New England: In a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Colman, at that time Pastor of Brattle-Street Church, Boston. By PRESIDENT EDWARDS. Revised from the

Boston Edition of 1738. Boston: James Loring, 132 Washington-Street. 1831.

The title of this little volume sufficiently explains its nature and object. It was published by Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse, in London, soon after it was written, accompanied with a recommendatory preface. We welcome its re-publication in this country, and with great pleasure commend it to the favor of the religious community. President Edwards was well qualified from personal piety, an enlarged mind, sound learning, and extensive and accurate observation, to present the most authentic and valuable statements relative to religious revivals. The volume here presented to the public evinces, 1. That revivals of religion are not merely of recent occurrence. Those which existed during the period of President Edwards' ministry were as extensive, considering the state of the country, and as remarkable as any which have been witnessed in the present day. The charge of novelty, therefore, cannot be attached to religious revivals. It may also be remarked, that,

2. A perusal of this volume will aid ministers and christians in judging of the nature of the awakings which exist among them, and the marks of transient affections, and of genuineness in relation to instances of apparent conversion, by noticing what generally was apparent in a work of the Holy Spirit at former times.

3. The sameness in the general characteristics of conversions in all ages and nations, furnishes one pleasing evidence of the reality of experimental religion. This sameness is apparent from com

paring the exercises of saints recorded in scripture, with the exercises of the pious in succeeding ages; and it is also apparent from comparing President Edwards' statements with what at present exists. Whether persons are aged or young, educated or illiterate, in heathen or christian lands, the Spirit's influence in its general outlines produces similar effects in conviction and conversion, and in the progressive exercises of the christian life.

Dr. Alexander, in the Introductory Essay to the Advice to a young Christian, relates the following incident.

The late eminently pious and learned theologian, the Rev. Dr. Livingston, related to me, not many years before his decease, a pleasant anecdote, which will serve to illustrate the point under consideration; and which I communicate to the public the more willingly, because I do not know that he has left any record of it behind him. While a student at the university of Utrecht, a number of pious persons, from the town and from among the students, were accustomed to meet for free conversation on experimental religion, and for prayer and praise, in a social capacity. On one of these occasions, when the similarity of the exercises of the pious, in all countries and ages, was the subject of conversation, it was remarked by one of the company, that there was then present a representative from each of the four quarters of the world. These were Dr. Livingston from America, a young man from the Cape of Good Hope, in Africa, another student from one of the Dutch possessions in the East Indies, and many natives of Europe of course. It was therefore proposed, that at the next meeting, the three young gentlemen first referred to, together with an eminently pious young nobleman of Holland, should each give a particular narrative of the rise and progress of the work of grace in his own soul. The proposal was universally acceptable; and accordingly a narrative was heard from a native of each of the four quarters of the globe-of their views and feelings, of their trials and temptations, &c. The result was highly gratifying to all present; and I think Dr. Livingston said, that it was generally admitted by those present, that they had never before witnessed so interesting a scene.

A similar gratification attends the perusal of Edwards' narrative of revivals, viewed in unison with the display of grace now apparent in the United States, and evinces the sameness of true religion in every age, being produced by the same Spirit.

The friends of vital godliness will feel pleasure in making known the value of this estimable work.

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR NOVEMBER, 1831.

SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 52, Washington-Street, Boston. The communications for the Corresponding Secretary should be directed to the same place.