forming the phrase have the same numerical value as AarɛVOS. But should the marginal reading in the Revised New Testament-some ancient authorities read, six hundred and sixteen-be correct; or Tischendorf's suggestion, on the authority of the Sinaitic M.S., "The number of a man, Six," all the above goes for nothing, falling at the same time"Alexander, Czar of Russia." This may be one of the things that cannot be found out by "searching;" and yet to keep us in a watching and expectant attitude this little arithmetical puzzle may have been left the children of the kingdom, by their Elder Brother-the Coming King. I am sure "T. M. B" utters the sentiments of every subscriber when he suggests the insertion in an early number of a good photograph of the revered editor of THE RAINBOW. Salford. T. M. PURVES. I NOTES FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA. BEG to forward you Money Order for two pounds, being one pound for "Rainbow," (2 copies) to June, 1882, and one pound for "Rainbow Fund," which please accept. If it will at all tend to encourage you in your persevering labour in editing that periodical, I may inform you of the continued and increasing interest I feel in its publication. I do not know how much I am indebted to yourself and the various writers for the joy I have in God through our Lord Jesus Christ: certain I am that it has been the means of expanding my mind and enlarging my apprehensions of the things that are freely given us of God, and during the many years I have been a subscriber it has yielded me a monthly feast, whilst leading me to value more highly the Word of God as a volume of exceeding richness, fulness, harmony, and beauty. The tendency of the great bulk of the religious literature of the day is to keep the Bible a closed, if not a sealed book, whilst the "Rainbow" is one of the very few that excites a growing and intelligent interest in its wonderful contents, every such work therefore becomes increasingly valuable as the darkness of these closing days of Christendom thickens, and whilst the Lord will not leave himself without a witness but will in grace linger whilst there is a vestige of hope for an unbelieving world and an apostate church, we hope and pray (if the Lord tarry) you may long be spared as a light-bearer to hold forth and send forth the word of Life. I may mention that my wife as well as myself greatly rejoices in the truths advocated in the "Rainbow." I thank you for your kind letter in response to a former communication from me, as I know you cannot have much time for letter-writing. Religious matters in this colony are at a very low ebb indeed. The latter-day formality and pompous emptiness is surely upon us. The spiritual see it and mourn over it, but seem powerless to stem the tide, little dreaming in most cases, that being wedded to a system that holds tradition for truth, that defies reason and puts human wisdom in the place of Divine, is eating like a canker worm at the root of spiritual energy, and paralysing the spasmodic attempts at resuscitating vital godliness. Oh, that the eyes of more of God's children were open to look for the return of the rejected King, who alone is worthy to hold the reins of government, and who alone is able to bring order out of confusion. Adored be the name of Jesus for ever and ever! B. C. CORRESPONDENCE. "THIS GENERATION." DEAR SIR,-Having read with much interest Mr. Mill's article in the June "Rainbow," on 66 Things that precede the Kingdom," may I be allowed to suggest another solution to the difficulty in Luke xxi. 32—"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." Matthew, Mark, and Luke all place this verse in connexion with the parable of the fig tree, after describing the signs that follow immediately after the tribulation. Is it to this last series of events, which appear to develop very quickly until the coming of the Son of Man, that this verse applies? It struck me some time ago when pondering over this chapter and two parallel ones, that such was the case, and that all predicted in these last few verses, and which seem to form a period of their own, would be accomplished during the generation then living, living when these things begin to come to pass. Should you think these few thoughts worthy of notice, I should much like to know if the reading of the passage will bear this construction. I am no scholar, but an obliged and CONSTANT READER. Bradford, Yorks. THE MYSTIC NUMBER. SIR-Referring to the letter of T. M. B. in your last number, I would remark that the mystic number, 666, as recorded in Rev. xiii., has been variously commented on, and considerable ingenuity has been displayed in its accommodation to the names and titles of distinguished persons. These speculations have been made, however, without an attempt to attach any purport to this number beyond that of the supposed solution of a mystery. It may perhaps tend to set the question at rest if I point out that the earliest and most authoritative version, viz., the Sinaitic of Count Tischendorf, gives "SIX" as the correct number. The Revised New Testament, I know, retains the old numeral; nevertheless it would have been well to follow the S. V. for the following reasons: The Scriptures afford no clue whereby to attach a signification to 666, and they do point to a possible one for the number 6. Throughout the entire Book of the Revelation, the number" seven" is conspicuous as signifying the perfection of excellence in the governmental ways of God in respect to the earth and its inhabitants; whereas "six' 19 is but "the number of a man "violently contrasted with that of God; thus leading to the perception that the brief span of power allotted to this Man, " Beast," or "Man of Sin"-though invested with all the symbols of earthly dominion, together with "the power, throne, and authority" of Satan (chap. xiii. 1, 2)-yet will be marked with iniquitous imperfection, coming absolutely short (6) of that righteousness of administration (7) that is contemplated in the Divine counsels for the future (chap. v. 6). Reading. Yours faithfully, H. GOODWYN. AN IMAGINARY DIFFICULTY. DEAR SIR,-Can you, or any of your contributors, give some light on the subject of the Personal Presence and Reign with His saints of our Lord in this world? Speculation, of course, is worthless: but is not this a subject, like many other prophetic subjects on which reverent thought and consideration of such hints as the Word of God contains, may throw more light than at first appears? Talking on the Lord's second coming in a fraternal meeting of ministers lately (all of them except myself post-millenarians), it seemed to me that the real hindrance in their way, preventing them from yielding to the plain testimony of Scripture, was the difficulty connected with our Lord's personal presence once more. Horace Bushnell, in a sermon entitled, "The Present Relations of Christ with His followers," gives expres sion to the thoughts which, I suspect, were occupying their minds, and which probably occupy the minds of very many. "Nothing," he says, "could be more inexpedient, or a profounder affliction, than a locally descended, permanently visible Saviour. How much better a Saviour present everywhere and at all times." And again: 66 There is nothing, I must frankly say, that would be so nearly a dead loss of Christ, to any disciple who knows Him in the dear companionship of faith, as to have Him come in visible show; either setting up His reign at some geographical point, or reigning aerially, in some flitting and cursitating manner, which cannot be traced." On the ground of such thoughts, the Personal Presence and Reign seem to be set aside as inconceivable, whatever the testimony of Scripture. To remove these difficulties, or to alleviate them in some degree, more clearly than is done in any writing I have met with, would be a great gain. I venture to write these few lines in the hope that they may elicit thoughts from yourself, or some of your very competent contributors, on the matter, which may be of assistance.-I am, &c., U. B. R. [The difficulty to which our correspondent refers is purely imaginary. But what have we to do with difficulties? The realisation of Divine purposes does not depend on human wisdom. We ask a reading of our papers on "The King," and "U. B. R.'s" letter will doubtless bring replies.-ED.] 368 NOTICES. "W. W. D."—We are sorry that your friend is so uncomfortable. From the symptoms it is clear that his disease is sectarian irritation. This acts injuriously on the heart, and affects the sight. But we will gladly prescribe for him without fee: Two or three drops of charity in half a tumbler of the milk of human kindness, twice a day, for a week, will cure him. “S. H.”—That Mr. Joseph Cook is an able speaker, and a clever man as a critical lecturer, is not to be questioned. But we could not accept him as a safe theological teacher. His doctrine of eternal evil is monstrous ! If the passage on which he relies taught this, it would contradict the rest of the Bible; but Rev. xxii. 11 is followed by "Behold, I come quickly," which is the joyous note of confirmation and permanency to all moral good, and the herald blast of destruction to all moral evil. Men who seek popularity will go on the old lines of natural immortality, and its logical sequel of a fearful eternity for the lost; but men who dig for truth as for priceless treasure will go on the OLDER lines of Divine Revelation. They will stand where prophets and apostles stood. They will sacrifice pagan tradition without mercy, and be quite contented without popularity. "H. B.”—Thank you for £1 towards the cost of printing the "RainBOW TRACTS." There are now seven of them, covering several of the points on which we are labouring to effect a theological reformation. They are being freely circulated, and are drawing the attention of many to the truth. Of course we are much out of pocket for printing them, but the precious seed will by-and-bye produce a harvest better than gold. Let us have faith and patience! "J. P." Of course Edinburgh has many superior boarding schools, but for young ladies whose parents wish them to be taught immortality only in Christ, we recommend the establishment of Miss Leishman, 3, Queen's Crescent, Newington, Edinburgh. We believe this lady is an accomplished and successful teacher, and as she has bravely suffered for the truth she deserves the practical sympathy of its friends. No doubt she will readily send a prospectus to any applicant, and we hope she may have several, for it is all important to preserve the rising generation from the delusions which we are labouring to scatter before the light of heaven-delusions which made the youth of many of us miserable. "A. M."-We are tired of this endless complaint about the working classes not attending your churches and chapels. It is your own fault! Cease to teach them lies in the name of the Lord, and they will come. Try them with God's glad tidings instead of man's horrors, and your complaints will cease. Continue your irrational and unscriptural declarations about everlasting torment in fire, and they will hate you, and deny the being of the Holy One in whose name you utter the atrocious falsehood! Is it strange? It would be strange if it were otherwise! THE RAINBOW: 3 Magazine of Christian Literature, with Special Reference to the Revealed Future of the Church and the World. SEPTEMBER, 1881. THE KING REJECTED. "A reproach of men, and despised of the people."-PSA. xxii. 6. "He is despised and rejected of men."-ISA. liii. 3. "Thus saith the Lord . to Him whom man despiseth, whom the nation abhorreth."-ISA. xlix. 7. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”—JOHN i. 11. "When the husbandmen saw the Son, they said among themselves, This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and let us seize on His inheritance. And they caught Him, and cast Him out of the vineyard, and slew Him." -MATT. xxi. 38, 39. THESE HESE Scriptures tell their own story, and a remarkable one it is. History contains instances of the murder of the heir, and of the temporary success of the usurper, but nothing in the remotest degree comparable to this. Whether you consider the religious privileges of the people who were guilty of this deed, or the character and claims of the man they slew, you are overwhelmed with wonder and astonishment. Above all the other nations of the world were the Jewish people privileged. They had light from heaven, whilst the Gentiles groped in the darkness of idolatry. Divinely inspired prophets. taught them. A Divine polity ruled them. A divinely instituted religion was theirs. And they had a marvellous history. Again and again had stupendous miracles attested that God fought for them. The splendid empire of Egypt was laid in ruins to pave the way for the exodus of their enslaved progenitors. The foundling of the Nile was closeted with God upon the fire-wreathed mountain, to qualify him for his extraordinary task. The Red Sea opened its waters to give them egress from the land of bondage; a miraculous pillar in mid-heaven, cloud by day, fire by night, was their guide through the pathless desert; and the Jordan divided to give them ingress to the land of promise. "And the Lord," says Joshua, "gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them Ꮓ |