GOD'S MERCY TO THE GENTILES.

FOR ages the Gentile world appeared to be passed over by Divine mercy, and to be given up to the power of the prince of darkness. The people sat in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death. To them no warnings were given, to them no messages of mercy were sent, but they were allowed to walk in their own ways. At length, a brighter day dawned upon them. The Son of God appeared, and he came to be "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel." He confirmed the promises made to the Jews, and opened a channel of mercy to the Gentiles; so that the language of Moses became strictly applicable, "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people." So also the language of the Psalmist, "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him all ye people." For the prediction of Isaiah was fulfilled, "There shall be a root of Jesse, and and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. xv. 12.

Jesus is to be the object of our trust. No longer dumb idols, in which our fathers trusted. No more in pilgrimages, or penan

des, or works, or sacrifices, as our fathers did. But Jesus the incarnate God, Jesus the root of Jesse, Jesus the offspring of David. Jesus the Son of God. As he is di

vine, he is the root of Jesse; and as he is human, he is David's offspring. He is the Saviour, the only, the all-sufficient, the willing Saviour, and he alone is to be the object of our trust. He is qualified to be so, for he has the righteousness we need to make us perfectly and eternally righteous before God. He has the grace we require to fit us for duty, to prepare us for conflict, to qualify us for the enjoyment of our privileges, and to make us meet for heaven. He has the glory we thirst for, and will confer it upon all who confide in his name. He is made known to us in his word, as inviting our trust, as promising the richest blessings to all who trust, and as pledged to save every trusting soul.

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Trusting in Jesus is a soul-saving exercise, Not that it merits anything, but according to the divine arrangements, it entitles us to all Jesus is, and has done as a Saviour. his name shall the Gentiles trust." They shall renounce self, and idolatry, and every false way. They shall receive God's truth in reference to the law, in its spirituality, extent, and righteous demands-and in reference to man's state as totally lost, ruined, and undone and in reference to the glorious gospel, which proclaims a free pardon, a glorious righteousness, a perfect Saviour,

They shall confide in Jesus, trusting alone in his sacrifice for sin, in his obedience to the law, in his promise to save, and in his intercession at God's right hand. Trusting in Jesus, they will enjoy peace, realize sweet liberty, walk in holy fellowship with God, and anticipate heaven as they endure the trials of earth. O for grace to glorify God for his mercy to us poor Gentiles! Ŏ to be enabled to trust in Jesus at all times, to trust him for all we need, and to trust him with all we value !

Reader, we are Gentiles, our fathers were led away after dumb idols, and worshipped wood and stone. But we live in happier times, for the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. Jesus is revealed, proclaimed, and presented to us, to be the object of our trust. We must trust in him, or be lost for ever. He alone can save. He

saves all that trust in him. But he saves none beside. We need such a Saviour, and as we need him, as God in mercy has provided him, as he is graciously presented to us, let us not slight him. We must trust in him, or miserably perish-we may trust in him, for God invites and warrants us. We must trust in him, or be suicides-self-destroyers. Which shall it be? Shall we make up our minds to perish miserably, to perish eternally, to perish by our own fault. O think what is comprehended in that word perishin the idea of a soul perishing for ever-per

ishing for ever by its own fault. As the case stands thus, the knowledge of Christ ought to be sent to all the Gentiles, and we ought to labour to the uttermost of our power in assisting to send it.

Go, said the voice of heavenly love,
My Gospel preach to every land;
Lo! I am with you to the end!
Observe and follow my command!

With joy the first disciples heard,
And told the ever-gracious news
As they from him receiv'd in charge,
First, to the unbelieving Jews.

Then to the Gentiles, far and near,
Publish'd salvation in his name,
And the glad tidings of his grace
To this distinguish'd island came.

But, ah! to spread their sacred theme,
How few have our attempts been found!
What heathen lands from us have heard
The glorious heart-reviving sound?

To us their duty they bequeath'd;
And left the promise on record;
And had our ardour equall'd theirs,
The same had been our blest reward.

Saviour divine, our guilt forgive!
Inspire our souls with warmer zeal!
Pour out thy Spirit from on bigh;
And let us all his influence feel!

SYMPATHY WITH SUFFERERS.

WE can never form a correct opinion as to who are the Lord's people, by the dispensations of Divine providence, as one event happeneth to all; and the difference between them and the world, lies rather in the comforts and supports they receive, than in any outward difference. Indeed, the saints often have the worst of it, as far as temporal things are concerned, for the present is to them a state of discipline and trial. This was frequently the case under the old dispensation, which was carnal, and we may expect it to be more so under the present, which is spiritual. But of this a good use may be made, for the sufferings of believers should awaken our sympathies, and call forth our aid and our prayers. As Asaph prayed of old, when the Lord's people were sorely tried, so should we, O let not the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise thy name.' Ps. Ixxiv. 21. Look at the sufferers,

They are OPPRESSED. Sometimes by men, human laws are often oppressive, and have filled prisons with believers, and burnt the best of men at the stake. The landlord will oppress the tenant, the employer the mecha