Romish Church had fearfully degenerated from her primitive purity and simplicity in discipline and manners. I thought that the principles of a pure faith were indelibly inscribed upon the monuments discovered in the Catacombs: those monuments accord us no authority for the dogma of the council of Trent; they present nothing to our view but the symbols of peace and hope. I thought that if the Church of Rome had but always looked unto the rock whence the Church of Christ is hewn, and to the hole of the pit

whence she is digged; if she had always looked unto Abraham as the father of the faithful, and unto Sarah that bare them; * in other words, that the Gentile Christian Church was only a foster-sister of the natural seed of Abraham-how differently would she, the Church of Rome, have treated the members of the "Scattered Nation" residing in her midst! She would have remembered what St. Paul so broadly hinted to her, that she was their debtor.t

THERE has been great diversity of opinion. among the learned as to what "the Urim and the Thummim" represented, or to what they were designed to be applied. I am not going to controvert the opinions thus given, but I shall lay before you what has been suggested to my mind whilst considering the subject, and praying for light that I might understand the Scriptures.

There are three distinct references made to this matter.

The first is Exod. xxviii. 15-30; the Lord's instruction to Moses concerning the making the breastplate, and the twelve stones to be set in gold and put therein. The second is Exod. xxxix. 8-21; the account Moses gives of his completion of the work. The third is Lev. viii. 8; the order with which he put these things upon Aaron. We shall consider each in order.

Our attention will be, in the first place, directed to the breastplate, and what was to be put therein, Let us follow Moses to the Holy Mount.

"And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

"And the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days; and the seventh he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

"And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire, on the top of the mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and got him up into the mount, and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights." Exod. xxiv. 15-18.

Here it was where he received instructions concerning all things he was to make for the service of God, among which were the breastplate, and the precious stones set in gold which he was to place therein.

Concerning these, we have the particulars as we have before stated (Exod. xxviii. 15, 16), which we shall now notice. "And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shall make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it." These were the materials of which it was to be composed. Its size and form are next stated. This was the breastplate.

In the next place we shall notice what was to be put therein. See the 17th verse. "And thou shall set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle. And the

second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and amethyst. And the fourth row, a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

"And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name shall be according to the twelve Tribes." Here is the wonderful thing to which no name as yet was given, but which will be in due time.

Let us notice, before proceeding, the difference between the material used in forming the breastplate and that in which the engraving was to be made in the twelve stones. That of the breastplate was perishable, that of the latter was imperishable.

We find subsequently that directions were given as to the placing these things upon the High Priest." And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod, and the breastplate shall not be loosed from the ephod.

"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart when he goeth into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually."

Then follows how the twelve stones upon which the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel were to be engraven were to be fixed and the name given thereto : “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment, the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually."

Until now, we hear not once of the Urim and the Thummim, which were evidently meant to apply to the case of gold and the twelve precious stones, engraven with the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel, as this was to be put in the breastplate of judgment, which was to be upon Aaron's heart, when he went in before the Lord.

This appears to me to fix the name, and to limit it-that which represented the whole family of Israel when presented before God. The "Urim and the Thummim,” filled with light and perfection, by means of the glory of the Lord which would shine upon them by the Shekinah from off the Mercy-seat

when the High Priest stood before the Mercyseat.

Having noticed the command given to Moses concerning the making the breastplate, and what was to be put therein, we shall find in the next place how he executed his commission, if we read from the 8th to the 14th verse of chap. xxxix. which he made "as the Lord commanded Moses."

In the third place, we shall proceed to Moses investing Aaron and his sons into the office of High Priest (Lev. viii. 6—8.) : “ And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith."

The next verse will describe the manner in which the breastplate was put upon Aaron, and that which was put therein: "And he put the breastplate upon him. Also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim."

Here were two distinct acts,-the putting on the breastplate, and the putting in it "the Urim and the Thummim."

We have noticed already the command the Lord gave Moses to put in the beastplate of judgment "the Urim and the Thummim;" and there was nothing that Moses was directed to make and put therein saving the case of gold in which was to be placed the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel, which we can but admit were in reality" the Urim and the Thummim."

Thus far for the account Moses has given us of the command he received of the Lord of that which he was to make; how he executed his commission; and, lastly, how he placed them upon Aaron when he inducted him into the High Priest's office.

Let us consider the appropriateness of the terms "Urim and Thummim" to that to which I have applied them, viz., the case enclosing the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel engraven on twelve precions stones :

It is admitted by the learned that the best and most correct translation of "the Urim and the Thummim" is " Lights and Perfections." And could any terms better set forth the Church of God than these, "Lights and Perfections?"

The twelve Tribes of Israel represented the

Church of God under the Law. Unto them alone God made known His Law. This Church had its outward ceremonies and forms of worship. It had also its spiritual worshippers. The first was represented by the breastptate made of fine twined linen, that might be easily changed or decay. That which was within it, the precious stones inclosed in gold; that which would not change nor decay; such are the true Israel of God. These were contained within the breastplate, which, if removed, would leave the other perfect. In which St. Paul refers to "the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made; that those things which cannot be shak en may remain. (Heb. xii. 27.) The breastplate and the precious stones represented the visible and invisible Church of God, and these enclosed in the gold case the unity of the latter--their oneness and perfection.

But the term "Lights and Perfections" will still more fully apply to the Church of God when considered after what manner the breastplate and that within it were to be presented before God.

I. The High Priest was to bear them upon his heart when he went into the Holy Place before the Lord.

Here was the whole family of Israel to be presented before the Lord in the Holy Place by the High Priest.

II. He entered that place; he effected the reconciliation between God and man.

with hands, but by His own blood, He is entered into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Heb. ix. 11, &c.)

Christ has His breastplate, and the precious stones therein-His visible Church, and His elect. These are upon His heart, bound there. He is entered into heaven for them, "where He ever liveth to make intercession for them." "He tasted death for every man." "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "He maketh intercession for the transgressors." Here is the work of our great High Priest.

But how do the terms "Lights and Perfections" apply to His Church? Much more so than to that which was under the Law, for "that had no glory by reason of that which excelleth; for if that which is done away was glorious, how much more does that which remain exceed in glory?

The Church of Christ may be well styled Light. "Ye are," says Christ, "the light of the world." (Matt. v. 14.) "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. iv. 6.) Thus the Church bears His image, and is filled with light.

Likewise of the term "Perfection," Jesus saith, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." "Ye shall be

IV. He held the golden vessel full of incense high before the Lord.

V. The breastplate, which was fixed securely upon his heart, was placed in the direct rays of the Shekinah from above the Mercy-seat.

VI. Every precious stone was filled with light and glory; every one was of perfect workmanship.

VII. Thus they became the Light and the Perfections of the Lord himself, whose light shined into them, perfect in beauty. Here we behold in figure a greater High Priest than Aaron-who presented a richer sacrifice—and who is "entered into the Holy Place not made

His workmanship," and God's work is perfect. "Created anew in Christ Jesus." Thus is Christ at work, that His Church, being "washed with the water by the Word, He may present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it should be holy."

But, finally, when He shall present His Church, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, "having the glory of God, and her light like unto a stone most precious" (Rev. xxi. 10, 11), then shall the Church be filled with light, and be the perfect work of Him who redeemed it.

The Scattered Nation,' Feb. 1, 1867.

1. OUR last letter finds the Jews in Babylon under the grinding tyranny of the terrible conqueror. They sinned against the Creator and King, and His Providence brings the appropriate chastisement. It is remarkable how many points meet in the prophetic and symbolical number 70. Thus, 70 of the Elders went with Moses into the mount (Ex. xxiv.); the offerings of brass were 70 talents (Ex. xxxviii. 29); each silver bowl offered to the Lord weighed 70 shekels (Numb. xix. 85); the spirit of wisdom and righteous rule was poured out upon the 70 (Numb. xi. 25); the Lord chose 70 disciples to be his messengers to Israel (Luke x. 17); the principle of forgiving love is not limited to seven times, but extends unto 70 times seven (Mat. xviii. 22); Daniel gives the hope of the coming Messiah under the symbol of 70 weeks (Dan. ix. 24); 70 years Israel were to be in Babylon; 70 years Tyre was to be forgotten (Isa. xxiii. 15); and 70 years was the exact time of the supreme dominion of Babylon. Israel, Tyre, Syria, Egypt, all nations, must be trampled under the feet of the semi-brutal power with the golden head and the lion's heart (Dan. ii. 38, vii. 2). But the spoiler is about to be spoiled, and the tyrant trampled down, and Israel, though a captive, shall find a terrible avenger. It was Cyrus, the Persian.

2. Now, in the whole range of antiquity there is not a nobler character than this celebrated prince, the founder of the second universal empire. He was a worshipper of the true God, as is evident both from the word and the providence of God. As God wrought upon the mind of Nebuchadnezzar, so He stirred up the heart of this Great King to favour both Daniel and the Jewish nation (Dan. vi. 28; Ez. i. 1-10). God names him in the prophecy, and calls him His shepherd to lead the flock back to Palestine; and His anointed, anointed to subdue nations before him, and scatter the treasures of darkness (Isa. xliv. 28, xlv. 4). The time of vengeance is come, and here is the man.

3. Read now, and compare the following passages, and see how fully and minutely this

terrible judgment of the doomed city was foretold by the Prophets (Isa. xiii. 17—22; xiv. 1-4; xviii. 14, 15; xiii. 14, 2—5; xlvii. 6-11: Hab. ii. 15, 16; Jer. 1. 1—25, 35—38; Jer. li., the entire chapter. From these we learn the following facts :-(1) that Babylon was the greatest city in the world; (2) that pridė, cruelty, and tyranny were the sins for which she was to be visited; (3) that the time and the person, the method of capture and the exterminating judgments that followed, are all expressly predicted, and all was exactly fulfilled. Cyrus having received his commission to destroy, entered the city by the channels of the river, while the citizens were spending the night in merriment and dancing; and thus, almost without a blow, he became master of the king and the kingdom of Babylon. God did, indeed, open the gates, and subdue the nations before him! When we fall in with the purpose and plan of God we are strong and succeed; when we oppose it we perish! This mighty kingdom lasted from the fall of Babylon, B.C. 536, till the conquest of the Saracens, A.D. 652, a period of 1188 years, though it underwent many changes of fortune during that time. They groaned under the Macedonian yoke during 102 years; and then the Parthians, having overturned the Greeks, ruled over the prostrate Persians 454 years more, after which they regained the dominion, and kept it till the conquest of the Moslems, A.D. 652. But in what relation did the Jews stand to this empire? I do not find that the Persians were fierce persecutors, either of the Jews or of other nations, at least in the earlier period of their history. They become intolerant and fanatical when they become Moslems. Syria, and with it Palestine, no doubt became tributary to Persia, and, like other nations, the Jews felt their dependence, and had to pay their tribute; but, with this condition, they seem to have enjoyed repose under the sceptre of the Great King.

4. But let us not leave Persia and the Jews without a battle, since they grow so abundantly on the field of history. Pass on, then, along the stream of time, for the period of about a

thousand years. What changes have now taken place? The Jews have been scattered; their Temple burnt; their land spoiled by the rivers (Isa. xviii.), and the great purpose of God fulfilled. Rome has been overturned again and again, and a new Rome founded on the Bosphorus; Jerusalem has been rebuilt, Christianized, and adorned with splendid temples, and glorified by the wood of the true Cross, so that the Holy City is the very centre of the Christian nations. Monuments of all kinds are accumulating rapidly-relics of the martyrs, holy garments, self-magnifying cuts of the Holy Cross-and pilgrimages are increasing in proportion as darkness settles down on the Christian world. It is the year 609 of our era, and Chosru, if not one of the best, certainly one of the greatest, of the Sassanian kings, is on the Persian throne. His wife was a Christian, and she seems to have stilled his fury for a time; but now, his enemies are conquered, he is completely master of the situation, and his imprisoned wrath and malignity shall flow in torrents of blood and fire through the world. He has vowed destruction to the Roman empire; he is breathing out vengeance against Christ and all the worshippers of a crucified God. With the malignity of Julian, the blasphemy of Voltaire, and the sagacity of a consummate general, he is directing the forces of his empire to eradicate the very name of Christianity from the world. See, he comes! His armies flow in upon Antioch, and in a great and terrible battle the Roman army is utterly overthrown. He makes his way along the shore, and all the cities of Syria and Phoenicia are taken, and wasted with fire and sword. The strong city of Cesarea yields to his arms, and the inhabitants are sold into slavery; and now he comes to the holy city of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Jews of the northern provinces, whose thirst for vengeance, plunder, and slaughter is fully equal to his own. Jerusalem is in a bad case. The defenders of the

Feb. 1, 1867.

holy city are a superstitious multitude, who worship the Virgin Mary and the true Cross. They are fallen from the faith and the sanctity of the primitive Church, and they are to get a terrible chastisement. In the month of June, A.D. 614, the city is taken by storm; the temples of religion or superstition are given to the flames; the noble church of the Holy Sepulchre crackles in the burning pile; the streets swim with the blood of thousands; the fury of the conqueror gives full licence to the violence of the soldiers, and nothing can escape them. Monks, and clergy, and consecrated virgins meet the same doom, which is death, without mercy, at the hands of these Persian demons which Chosru has let loose upon the world; they die in the streets, and the city flames around them, and the true Cross is in the hands of the enemy. All that can be burned is burning, all that can flee has fled, all that is worth plundering has plundered; the Patriarch and a multitude of the inhabitants are carried away as slaves, and yet the fury of the bloody tyrant is not satisfied. He has collected 90,000 Christian prisoners, whom he sells to the Jews, scattered through his dominions, who, out of hatred to their master, and in revenge of former cruelties, put them all to death. What blood has flowed about the holy city and in the land of promise! May our cry be, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! But this monster Chosru shall not die in peace. His enemies prevail against him; his people rise up in rebellion; his son dethrones him, imprisons him, and finally puts him to death! and in 44 years after the butchery in Jerusalem the Persian monarchy was broken to pieces! Wickedness may prevail for a time, and tyranny may long seem to be triumphant and irresistible; but even in this life they generally get their reward; and in the whole world there is no spot on earth where we can learn such lessons of moral retribution as the land of Palestine. W. G.