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the spirit of commercial enterprise, mainly impelled by the engrossing pursuit of material prosperity, and the expansion of sensuous demands; the marvellous development of physical and physiological science, threatening even the philosophy of the mind in the physiology of the body; the open unbelief of hundreds of philosophers and men of science, who feel themselves constrained to deny altogether the existence of a soul as a principle distinct from the mere functions of the brain, and by consequence, its life beyond the the grave; semi-scepticism prevalent among the people, thousands of whom, absorbed in the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,' have insensibly outgrown their ancestral creeds,these circumstances can only serve to deepen the interest concerning the peculiar importance and significance of the soul's immortality. There is this one favourite and boasted point which may be conceded to 'spiritualists; that they stoutly maintain the doctrine of the soul's future everlasting existence."

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"In all ages," says a modern writer, "there has been an irresistible longing in the human mind to penetrate into the unknown-into the future. Very few are content in living on, day after day, without a thought beyond the present life; and most of those who are looking forward to heaven as their eternal home, would like to be informed as to the kind of place it is. For wise, irrefutable the Almighty has not satisfied these cravings." The writer goes on to say that if we were to obtain one of these glimpses, it might so dazzle us as to unfit us for every-day duties.

reasons,

What would the followers of Swedenborg say to this? for their Emanuel professes to have had thirty years of almost uninterrupted communication with very bright angels in the invisible world of spirits!

The excessive cultivation of the spiritual faculties has almost always a deteriorating effect on the natural and physical frame and health. Within appointed limits, remembering that we are mortal, the same is proper, dutiful, and healthful. These boundaries are well defined in Holy Writ,

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and through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We are not to be wise above that which is written. Paul was not allowed to record what he saw, by supernatural vision, when he was

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caught up to the third heaven." (2 Cor. xii. 2.) But, in the scene of the "Transfiguration," when a transitory glimpse of the majesty of Christ, as He shall appear in His future glory on earth and in heaven, was allowed to the disciples, they exclaimed how good it was to be there, and they wanted it to continue; but surely this did not unfit them for apostolic ardour in preaching and suffering for Christ's sake.

Now, the object of these remarks is not to tempt people so to pry into the realities of the future state as to unfit them for the duties of the present; but just the contrary. The intention is to give such an insight as revelation leads us to indulge, in order to brighten hope, to animate desire, and quicken our steps in the gain of the celestial prize and crown set before us; just as when a distant view is gained from a lofty mountain height, of the city and home to which the traveller or pilgrim is anxiously tending, and is presented to his eager gaze as the bourne of his heart's ambition, he is animated with new vigour to press onward, and thus he obtains a better knowledge of the journey before him, and of the gain awaiting him if he perseveres to the end:

"While he surveys the much-loved spot, He slights the space that lies between; His past fatigues are now forgot, Because his journey's end is seen: "Thus, when the Christian pilgrim views, By faith, his mansion in the skies, The sight his fainting strength renews, And wings his speed to reach the prize." (To be continued.)

THE EPHESIAN STATE OF THE
CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

WHEN the sober minded Christian student of our Ecclesiastical history contemplates the present condition of the Church in our isle, and contrasts it with that of her state in her earlier days, he feels anxious to ascertain whether sacred Church history can furnish a parallel to our own

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experience. This problem exercised my thoughts for a considerable time. I think I found the parallel. With permission, I submit the result to the readers of THE HEBREW CHRISTIAN WITNESS AND PROPHETIC INVESTIGA

TOR.

The parallel I found is furnished in the history of the Church which was at Ephesus, in the days of yore. The following is the warning which the beloved disciple was enjoined to write to that church in her latter days:-"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee," would seem to imply to us in this generation-with our present acceptation of the word—as if the church to whom these words were written was in a good position, that she was on the whole prosperous, zealous, and commendable, and that there was only some little trifling thing, some "root of bitterness," that needed amendment wanted taking up, in order to her becoming perfect and without blame at all. To us it might read in some such form as this:

"I know thy high standing, thy holiness, thy patience there is but one little thing I have against thee: remove that somewhat,' and thou wilt be in a good and healthy state."

But this is very far from the true meaning of the solemn words addressed to the angel of the church of Ephesus. Most learned commentators agree that in the original Greek, there was no word used in any way whatever corresponding to this "somewhat:" that if we would read it correctly we should leave that word out altogether. That this is true, and that it is also most important, will appear as I proceed with my analysis. In days gone by, when the end of the Ephesian Church was fresh in the minds of men, it did not perhaps require such a strict render

*Rev. ii. 4, 5.

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ing of the text of Holy Scripture to enforce its truth; but with us 66 upon whom the end of the world is come,' especially in this our day, when we are too apt to lull ourselves to sleep with the cry of "Peace, peace, when there is no peace :" to us standing as we verily do in an almost exact counterpart of the Ephesian condition, the strict rendering of the words of inspiration must be all important; for they were "written for our learning."

Let us then study the sad history brought before us in the words of Jesus just adduced, taking them in their original rendering: "Nevertheless, I have against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." The Ephesian Church was, I may say, an exact counterpart of what the Church of England is at the present time. She was most highly favoured: she had learned to shine as a bright light in this weary world; she was full of labours of love and patience; and she "could not endure that which was evil" to her St. Paul wrote that beautiful epistle in which, as every careful reader well knows, not one word of fault-finding occurs; to her he could write: "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers." Of her he writes that she was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone."

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It was for this Church that St. Paul "bowed his knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would grant unto them, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ dwelling in their hearts by faith they might be able to comprehend with all saints what was the breadth and length and depth and height, and so to know the surpassing love of Christ, that they might be filled with all the fulness of God." And so advanced were they in Church doctrine, so matured in the "deep things of God," that he hesitated not to write to them of that mystic unity when he says: "There is one body

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and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

But it was not long ere St. Paul with prophetic vision observed a "root of bitterness," which was destined to spring up and yield deadly fruit; even, in the very words preceding those just quoted, he seems to hint at what would be the cause of the fall of that church. These are the words, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." And it was here that the Ephesian Church failed; it was here that she fell. She did not keep united; sects rose up in her midst: instead of remembering the ONENESS of the body, she broke up into parties and sections; one said, "I am of Paul; another, I am of Cephas; another, I of Christ"-She resisted authority

she did not abide in the old paths. She who had once been so famed for unity and love, began to fall away from her high standing.

St. Paul saw all this, and it pained him exceedingly. He wrote, This I know, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in, which shall not spare the flock; also of your oWN SELVES shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away diciples after them." The apostle saw all this long before, he had instructed them well in Christian doctrine, he had demonstrated to them the power of the Spirit; the hollowness of mere form; he had exhorted them "to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life;" to "take unto themselves the whole armour of God," that in the evil day" they might be able "to stand," and "having done all, to stand." But his words did not avail, and so he sends to them Timothy, he ordains him as their Bishop, hoping, no doubt, by these means, with God's blessing, to cure their heresies, and keep them steadfast in the true fold of Christ; and in his epistle to Timothy, we find how well he instructed his son in the faith. He wrote to him; "I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Mace

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donia, that thou mightest charge them that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith."

St. Paul saw too clearly the last perilous times dawning upon the Ephesian Church. When he ordained Timothy as their bishop, he knew too well "that evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." No doubt he hoped fervently that Timothy, by his sound doctrine and holy life, would be enabled, under God, "to turn their hearts back again." Alas! it was not so; neither Paul nor Timothy could prevail. So St. John, the beloved disciple, was sent unto them. It was an especial lack of love—this was the sin of the Ephesian Church. "She left her first love," and so the apostle of love was sent to her to win her back, if that were possible; when he was so infirm that he could not walk, he was carried into the church at Ephesus, and there delivered his pathetic sermon, "Love one another; my little children, love one another." But all was of no avail: "Diotrophes" still" loved to have the pre-eminence," and would not receive the exhortation.

And now what could be done for this far gone church? She had in turn rejected S. Paul, S. Timothy, and S. John. What can be done more by the Lord, for this His vineyard? He has sent His most learned and skilled husbandmen to dress and watch over it, and call it to repentance: yet, when He looked for grapes, it brought forth only "wild grapes." What more could be done? With man, it seemed impossible to do any more; but not so with God. Loving His people at the first, He loves them to the end; nor will He let them go into the pit of everlasting perdition without frequent and strong efforts to save them from eternal ruin.

And so it was with the Ephesian Church, though Paul and Timothy and John have each tried, and each failed, yet shall they have one chance more. JESUS Himself will speak to them from heaven, and so by the mouth of His aged apostle, He thus

addresses them as a last appeal to win their heart back again :

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus, write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know thy works and thy labours and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne and hast patience; and for My name's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted. Nevertheless, I have against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove the candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Our loving Jesus did not forget the former high standing of this Church-her former good works, nor is it to be thought that even then, at her worst state, there was not a small remnant of faithful and true men, who walked on still in the old paths serving the Lord their God.

It is very comforting to know that Jesus forgets nothing; every act of love and obedience is treasured up in the heart of Him who said, "Whosoever shall give to drink a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his reward." Thus much for its comfort: now for the warning. If men will persist in "leaving their first love;" if a church as a church, and as individuals, will not repent and turn to God, she will in the end be cut off; the deep depth of Christ's love cannot save her; by the very compassion of the Saviour, will she stand condemned.

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Mark the words spoken to the Ephesian Church: Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent." And these words were spoken to members of Christ's Church—baptized into Him. After all, they needed the Baptist's cry of "Repent;" with all their far advancement in religious knowledge, yet they had gone back. So far back had they gone, that the Saviour comes and bids them begin again, even "do their first works."

But the loving Jesus could not prevail any more than his ministers to bring them to repentance-proving a striking commentary on the word,-" If they hear not Moses nor the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." They even refused to hear Him who spake from heaven, and they went on to ruin.

And now, my friends, where is the Ephesian Church?

Recent Christian travellers say that they visited Ephesus, and found there but two or three Christians, and even they were in a very dark and ignorant state with regard to the vital doctrines of the Christian faith, May we not say, "How are the mighty fallen ?"

And now, may God give us grace to lay to heart the application of all this to our country, our Church, and ourselves.

As we traced out the state of the Ephesian Church, we must have been struck with its almost exact likeness to that of the Church of England in the present time. Are we not rift into parties and sects? Do any two pulpits of our land agree in a certain sound? On one side, is there not the extreme ritualist who forgets that form is but the husk or shell which should enclose as a kernel the spirit of love and holiness, rather than be the sine qua non of religion ?-who would take us back to the darkness of Rome rather than increase our Gospel light? And on the other hand, are there not those who reject form altogether, pass by the apostolic injunction, "Let all things be done decently and in order;" who pave for themselves salvation's road, making smooth (as they think) their path to heaven? Surely in each of these extremes there wanteth not sin. Each is in an Ephesian state. To such is the warning voice now sent, "Repent;" "thou hast left thy first love, be zealous, therefore, and repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Oh, may we all learn from the sad fate of the Eastern Church-whose candlestick was verily removedwhose light became darkness, that

the same fate will befall the Western unless she repent.

My friends, as the Church of Christ is made up of many members, so this call to repentance becomes a personal call, and it must penetrate into each separate heart of each sheep of Christ; and as each hears and repents and does first works, so will the whole Church be repenting and turning to God.

Would to God that the sound from all our pulpits was one of " repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Would that our clergy considered the one important message they had to deliver, instead of preaching up a system or a sect! Would that the call in our Churches was to holiness of life and spirituality of mind at home, in the world, as well as in the Church. Would that a real, loving, pure Gospel teaching took the place of the cold, speculative, self-sufficient theology of our times.

Let us one and all arouse ourselves, lest, sinking into the Ephesian state, we rush headlong to destruction. The word of repentance is still preached to us; to us the Gospel is still sent; and we have the words of the Prophet Jeremiah sounding in our ears, urging us to shun the evil and cleave to the good.

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Shall I not visit for these things, and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy: but make not a full end; take away her battlements, for they are not the Lord's."

May England's Church escape the fate of the Ephesian. Remember that we are exalted very high. "What nation is there that hath the Lord their God so nigh unto them?" Let us guard against pride, against self-will, against heresy, against party spirit on one side or the other; let us each remain in our appointed place, not going hither and hither with itching ears, ever desiring to see or hear some new thing; let us abide where God has placed us; let us walk on in the good old paths which our forefathers have trod before us, and let all our religious zeal be directed after the attainment of that

"holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

Let the battle with our own inward corruptions and temptations be our greatest struggle. Let others wrangle as they will about a creed, a posture, or a vestment; let our battle be within, against those ever opposing truant thoughts, desires, and affections that are of the earth earthy, and ever tend to mar the work of grace in our souls.

While we "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints," and uphold steadfastly "the truth as it is in Jesus." Let us at the same time remember the grand and noble character by which those who bore our name in the ages gone by were known; even this- See how these Christians love one another." Thus let our love abound ever more and more; love to God, love to Christ, love to the brethren, love to sinners, love to souls; a love that will lead us to pray for all those that hate us, to do good to those who despitefully use and persecute us; a love in short which, proceeding from the throne of God, shall lead those in whom it dwells to the presence of God for ever and ever.

And may we also be found ever in the attitude of prayer for our Zion, that God will be pleased to bless us, to deliver us from wicked, double dealing, and crafty men, preserving us evermore in the true faith and doctrine of His most holy word.

Taking our stand thus, by hearty repentance and true faith and fervent love, we shall be doing our part to draw down God's blessing and avert His curse.

And, the more we study the state of the Ephesian Church, and the sad end to which that state led, the more we shall see what a vivid comparison may be drawn between their state and our own at the present time.

A great attainment of holiness is no safeguard against an ultimate fall; hence the need of the exhortation, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."

We, as a Church, have made a vast attainment in holiness, and we have arrived to just that critical point when we shall either go back

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