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To reflect, then, upon the past and the present, and to anticipate the future in subjection to the divine will, accords alike with reason, revelation, self-interest, and the example of the wise and good in all ages of the world. "Thou shalt remember all the way the Lord thy God hath led thee, to humble thee and to prove thee; to know what was in thy heart, to see whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or not." Such are the motive, design, and discipline, indicated in this declaration of the Great Lawgiver and Judge of all, for the perfecting of those who feared and loved Him in the Jewish age. And the precept is not the less applicable now; on the contrary, it is enforced by more enlarged and endearing obligations. Motives more elevating and sublime, more constraining and powerful, are now presented for the exercise of our faith, hope, and love, than could possibly have been realized, prior to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

For man, then, to know his Creator and himself, his present state and relationship, his future prospects and destination, is, in our judgment, the one thing needful. It is from the invisible, the spiritual world, that God, who is love, and who desires not the death of a sinner, has spoken to man ; and one proof of this revelation is to be found in the circumstance that men can now address each other concerning the promise of eternal life, and the awful realities attendant on a state of final impenitence, guided by the unerring word of the Infinite One. Whereas, had not God first spoken to man, his knowledge of a future state, and of his own responsibility, would have been indeed indistinct and imperfect. Let all of us, then, be determined to listen to Him, who is the only infallible teacher and friend of the sinner.

In the divine communications with which mankind have been blessed, there is manifestly some reserve; but this reservation was needful not only on account of our present weakness, but to excite our hope and confidence in God. Much remains, and will remain unfolded to finite beings: the developments of a future world will alone reveal them. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is: and every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as He is pure." Yet, whatever this reserve may be, it can neither be inconsistent with the character and attributes of the Deity, nor at variance with our relationship to Him. What has been revealed is essentially true. We have presented to us the most glorious truths, unambiguous in meaning, and perfect in detail. To understand, believe, and obey them, are certain to elevate and ennoble man, and to secure for him present and eternal salvation. Then shall we not listen, examine, revere, and obey? In the Bible God is the speaker, and who will dare to close their ears to the language of the Eternal?

To superinduce a spirit of grateful submission to the Heavenly Father's

will, is the paramount object of this volume; and that we may prosecute our object in the best possible manner, we solicit the attention, support, and cordial co-operation of brethren and friends during the year on which we have just entered. We indulge a hope that nothing will be inserted at all calculated to mislead or deceive; nor will anything be kept back that is likely to prove instructive and profitable to our readers.

To live and die under the influence of darkness, error, and pollution, when surrounded with light and truth, are truly deplorable. Man is responsible not only for what he already knows, but for the knowledge which he might have acquired. The Bible, as the word of God, which is the only source of infallibility, is placed within the reach of every person in Great Britain. And were the supposition a rational one, that this periodical might cause the inspired volume to be less read than it otherwise would be, not a single sheet further should be presented to the public. From various indubitable testimonies, however, the opposite of this has been the result of our labours. Such being the case, we have commenced another volume, which we trust will not fail edifying all who may attentively peruse its pages.

Some of our respected friends may be anxious to know what course we intend to pursue with regard to the various articles sent to us for publication. We briefly state, then, that our past conduct must be explanatory of the future. Impartiality, utility, benevolence, candour, and truth, are the standards by which the selections for the HARBINGER are regulated. Personalities, calumnies, and bitter aspersions of character, will find no place in its columns. All cases of church discipline, excepting in the instances of known impostors, will be avoided: though, occasionally, short notices of such matters may appear on the cover. Time-serving and truckling, to individuals or parties, in any matter, are out of the question.

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Let those who have recently begun to write be studious and sober-minded, taking care that their composition be plain in diction, comprehensive in meaning, and, as far as may be consistent with the subject, short and pithy. Let the more experienced be grave and enlarged in mind, presenting from the heights and depths, the lengths and breadths of the gospel treasure, things new and old. To our poetical contributors we would respectfully suggest though metrical composition be very imperfectly understood by us -that poetry does not consist in mere rhyme: it is something more must inculcate truth, and move the heart. We hope our poetical friends will supply us with contributions partaking of this character, always mindful to avoid the employment of language, and the enunciation of sentiment, that might create a feeling of disapprobation in the mind of the most fastidious reader. And let no one be severe in his criticism upon any production the merits of which he cannot surpass, or will not attempt to equal. Now by a strict adherence to these principles, we hope to proceed in harmony and confidence to the end of the volume.

Some of our friends have already sympathetically inquired as to the pecuniary circumstances of the HARBINGER. We respectfully answer these inquiries by the assurance, that our liabilities in connection with this work, are all fully and honorably met though, to make up the balance sheet thus correctly, the time and labour of the Editor are gratuitously devoted to the work. Still we have bread to eat, raiment to put on, and a habitation to dwell in, with every comfort necessary for this life; but, were our resources confined to what flows from this periodical, we must have resigned it into the hands of the brethren. Yet even under these circumstances, we are not disposed either to beg, or to retire disheartened from the enterprise. No! -yet we nevertheless coincide with the Editor of the Nonconformist, when he writes:

No man, of course, is bound to do

"To active exertion we ought to add common liberality. more in this way than he can prudently afford; but unless necessity compels him, he should esteem it his duty to pay the full price for the advantage he receives. If he has any serious regard to the truths the earnest advocacy of which affords him satisfaction, it is a bad economy to support that advocacy at as little cost as he can manage to escape with. A few pence saved in this way, are not a few pence saved. Money fructifies in the office of a journal as well as elsewhere. Why are our publications generally so devoid of merit? Because merit, like other things, must be paid for; and the patronage of the Dissenting community is of so very saving a character, that improvement is out of the question. Justice, to say nothing of generosity, in this matter, is pretty sure of meeting with its own reward. A liberal circle of readers will generally ensure a liberal expenditure of means to instruct and gratify them."

And now, in dismissing these introductory remarks, and passing to the active duties devolving upon us, we commend ourselves and readers to the watchful guardianship of Him who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, and who will reward every man as his work shall be. May we all remember, "That they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever."

J. W.

THE BRITISH

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

VOL. III. NEW SERIES.] JANUARY 1, 1850.

THE GLORY OF JEHOVAH.

THE passage subjoined is a prayer to which Messiah gave expression when placed in most interesting, yet

momentous circumstances; and to which an answer was immediately given by God to those who were present, embodying a declaration of the

NAME.

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past, and an assurance respecting the future. FATHER, GLORIFY THY Then came there a voice from heaven which said, I have both glorified, and will again glorify it" (John xii. 28.)

In this concise, and at the same time comprehensive prayer, as well as in the answer given to it, reference is made to the past, the present, and the future developments of the divine character, or name of Jehovah.

To glorify, in the first place, is to make glorious that which, in itself, has no glory. It was so in the instance of primeval chaos, when God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." And it will be so again, when that which has been polluted and destroyed by sin and death, shall be created anew and immutable for

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a solicitation for the unfolding or developing of that which, in itself, is en

tirely glorious, and possessed essentially of qualities which excite the

admiration and reverence of every pure and intelligent being-millions of whom have been created that they

might thus adore their Heavenly Creator. To survey correctly, and express becomingly, the comprehensive and sublime ideas embodied in the four words uttered by Messiah,

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Father, glorify thy name," is far, very far beyond the capacity or province of the writer. The heights and depths, the lengths and breadths, of the wisdom and knowledge dwelling in that spirit which gave utterance to this prayer, are too vast and penetrating to be comprehended in language, whether human or angelic. Such an attempt, on the part of any created being, would be futile and arrogant. Man should be a humble, submissive, and obedient learner, in this lower and preparatory school of his Heavenly Father. Thanks be to his great name, that He has condescended to become our Teacher and Friend. It is a consoling reflection, that though heaven is his throne, and the earth is his footstool, yet to that man will He look, and with him will

He dwell, who is of a poor, broken, and contrite heart, and who trembles at His word.

It is the peculiarity of finite beings, whose organic and perceptive organs are either limited by objects of sense, or by the testimony of the living God, to speak of the past, the present, and the future. But this peculiarity is not characteristic, does not belong, to Him who has ever glorified his great name, alike in His doings in the universe, and in his revelation on behalf of those creatures whom He has made for His own glory and companionship for ever. Yet, in whatever variety of form Jehovah may glorify His character, He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. In the sublime song of Moses, the man of God, we have this instructive assurance most beautifully pourtrayed. "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night" (Psalm xc. 1-4.) Eternal and uncreated, Jehovah delighting to contemplate his divine, but to us incomparable nature, eventually disclosed by his all-powerful and creative word, the glory of his great name, by calling into existence the wonderful and magnificent system by which we are surrounded, and of which man, apparently, forms so insignificant a part. Indeed, we may remark, that the Heavenly Father's procedure, in "glorifying his name" -or, in other words, developing the essential attri

butes of his character-must be commensurate with divine capabilities and infinite understanding. The development and the result were alike comprehended by Him. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning." When, therefore, in the fulness of his love-and in the kindness of his pure, philanthropic, and expansive heart—and by the omnipotence of his all powerful and creating voice- he called into being the heavenly and spiritual universe, with its bright and transparent angelic legions to wait in his train-he then glorified the majesty and grandeur of his divine name. These monuments which bespeak the glory of Jehovah, are to remain, and increase in splendour for ever and ever. name," was Messiah's petition; and the voice of the Excellent One pronounced the declaration, and recorded the promise, "I have both glorified, and will again glorify it!" Yes, blessed be his name, this gracious promise has already been fulfilled on behalf of Messiah, though the final results thereof are enshrined in the future. But it will not fail: it will in due time be fully accomplished on behalf of his children, and this deathsmitten world of which we are now the inhabitants. "We know that the whole creation sighs together, and travels in anguish till the present time. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit : even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption; namely, the redemption of our body. For even we are saved by hope. Now hope that is attained is not hope for who can hope for that which he enjoys? But if we hope for that which we do not enjoy, then with patience

"Father, glorify thy

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