around him. Combining divine majesty with human sympathy, he ruled the tempest and blessed little children, he wept with the mourners and then raised the dead. Behold him in his career of self-denying philanthropy, the soother of all sadness, the purifier of all joy, the helper of all the needy, stooping to the lowest, wearied with incessant labours, yet still going about doing good,' and only hiding himself from the people when they were coming by force to make him a king. See him the sinless but the friend of all sinners, tearing off the mask of the hypocrite but recognising and encouraging the first faint desire for pardon and holiness in the most depraved. See him the uncompromising denouncer of injustice, the reformer of all that is corrupt, the conservator of all that is pure, overturning, as he did the tables of the money-changers, whatever profanes this world-temple, however venerable from antiquity, or endeared by custom, whether commanded by the Prince, or consecrated by the Priest;-persevering in his mission

of love in spite of violence on the one hand, and ingratitude on the other, laboring not only when his efforts were appreciated by those he toiled to benefit, but when he was despised and rejected'-the friend of the poor, the man of the people, not for fame, not for power, not so long only as the common people heard him gladly' and said 'Hosannah to the Son of David,' but when they cried "crucify him!"-suffering meekly the most cruel scorn, submitting without resistance to the most agonising tortures, and rather than abandon, nay in order to accomplish the great object on which he was intent, the formation of a universal socialism which should unite all men to God and one another, becoming obedient to death,

even the death of the cross!'

Consider how in harmony with his life was the tendency of his teaching. His church was designed to be a counterpart of his own history. He set up no system attractive to worldly ambition, his only domain was the soul, his kingdom was spiritual, and his law was love. He imposed

and

no irksome ceremonies, he raised no narrow sectarian barriers, but announced great principles applicable to all circumstances, which have but to be acted upon in order to banish all violence and wrong from the earth. He taught as never had been taught before, the equality of all men in the sight of God-that the lowly and the great have all one Saviour,—may all be members of one family inherit the same bliss-and that we must therefore love one another "as brethren, with a pure heart, fervently." His law 'to do to others as we would they should do to us,' is alone sufficient to condemn tyranny, injustice, and selfishness, in every form. You are expecting a good time coming,' when war shall be regarded a monster of iniquity, when men shall not be slaughtered for glory's sake,' when 'little children shall not toil till limbs and mind grow stronger,' when the people shall be temperate,' and 'love instead of hate,' 'when men' shall use and not abuse,' and all virtue wax 'stronger and stronger!' Glorious

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anticipation! But what so calculated to accomplish it as the social system founded by the Man Christ Jesus? Let his laws be obeyed, let his life be imitated, and you will see the realisation of your hopes and only then. Every fresh convert to Christ is another member added to that fraternity of love of which He is the head. When all men are gathered into it, the triumph of Divine Socialism will be complete. Without any insane notions of a universal equality, the realisation of which is as impossible as the attempt would be disastrous, all men will recognise their common relationship, respecting the rights and promoting the happiness of one another. The poor will not envy the rich, the rich will not despise the poor. The obligations of property will be as faithfully discharged by those who have it, as the rights of property will be respected by those who have it not. While confiscation and plunder will be words without a meaning, no man will say that ought of the things which he possesses is his own.' With no idleness and no waste, the necessitous will

be few, and for these no legal provision will be required, for with the cheerful alacrity of love which outstrips all legislation, ' distribution will be made unto every man according as he has need.' There will be no policemen, magistrates, or prisons, for no crimes will be committed, and love will be a prompt arbitrator of rival claims. Diversities of judgment, producing no estranged affections, will be discussed for the discovery of truth, and not for the achievement of victory, and controversies will only furnish occasions for the manifestation of a superior charity. The strife of parties will cease, the struggles of ambition be unknown, and the only rivalry the holy one of doing good. Subjects will render willing homage to those in authority, and the powers that be' will give evidence that in the fullest sense they are ' ordained of God.' The people will be as little disposed for threats and violence, as their rulers will be to refuse what is just and equal, nay, they will be beforehand with those whom they govern in efforts to advance the general good. Red battle' will never again 'stamp