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riods the Lord's witnesses prophecy in sackcloth. The "thousand, two hundred and threescore days," are not finished. And although some of the greatest and best taught men of God, which this, or any other nation, have produced since the days of the apostles, made and left behind them calculations of that event being about to take place, for more than a century since, yet we know, the prediction is not in the present hour fulfilled. Here, therefore, great men as they were, they erred; and thereby manifested, that though the Lord forewarned of the event, the time for the accomplishment remained with the Lord. Dan. xii. 8, 9. Acts i. 7. And we are taught to expect that the era will be ushered in with perilous times, 2 Tim. iii. 1, &c. Rev. ii. 2, 3. Rev. xiii. throughout.

In the mean time, the great and increasing consolation of the church, (indeed it is both a great and unceasing consolation!) is, "The Lord reigneth! clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.” Ps. xcvii. 1, 2. The Lord is in the midst of his Zion, and is carrying on all his purposes to his own glory. Painful as it is to behold the present low estate of the church, and still more to behold such a Laodicean spirit every where pervading the religious world, as it is called, talking of a state of prosperity and increase; while in spiritual things they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;" the Zion of God cannot fail, neither the interests of the Lord's chosen ones in a single instance be lost. “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his." 2 Tim. ü. 19. Should the world run into confusion, and the earth be shaken at the centre, the purpose of God standeth the same. And this delightful assurance comes in upon every occasion, with full strength of faith, when God the Holy Ghost opens

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and shews it to his people: "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom, and which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear." Heb. xii. 28.

THE

PORTRAIT

OF

NEHEMIAH.

THE

PORTRAIT OF NEHEMIAH.

PERHAPS in all the annals of mankind, few illustrious characters have appeared more meriting regard, considered in the relative situations of life, than that of Nehemiah. Under circumstances the most unpromising, and surrounded in a court of eastern splendour, where every thing of a serious aspect instead of countenance would meet reproach; we behold this great man, conspicuously distinguished as a good man, and shining with a pre-eminency of lustre, more for his virtues than his rank. His name, Nehemiah, a compound of Nehem and iah, signifies, comfort in the Lord. And whoever analyzeth his character, will discover that his name was not unaptly designated to his conduct. He was highly distinguished in his day and generation, and though an Israelite in an heathen palace, yet preserving his religion, as the faithful servant of the Lord, and as the friend to the Lord's people. Indeed it is rather matter of surprize, that his memoirs have not again and again called forth the admiration of the studious in biblical researches, and been recommended by them to the regard of all lovers of interesting biography. Every feature of his character appears to have been amiable; and we see in him, what few in the present day are

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