late and comfort believers, encourage and assist those who are "asking the way to Zion," and cheer the hearts of faithful ministers, when they listen to the affectionate and fervent supplications which are presented for themselves and their people. But it is much to be regretted, that the benefit is often marred by the length of the prayers of those worthy persons who are engaged on these occasions. In consequence of this, they intrude upon the time allotted for others; are sometimes chargeable with vain repetitions, and not unfrequently produce dissatisfaction and restlessness, instead of devotion, in most of their fellow-worshippers. We attempt not to fix specific limits, but we think that they who offer prayers on ordinary occasions would gratify and profit those who join them in this service, by concluding within ten minutes, rather than by exceeding that period. As we would not discourage the humble, so we would by no means repress the ardor of devotion which long-continued supplications may seem to imply. Would that all were "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." But from much observation, we are persuaded, that prayermeetings would be more attractive and useful, if the evil alluded to were avoided. It may be difficult for him, whose attention is drawn away from external objects, to ascertain the time which he has occupied; but we believe that with care this difficulty might be overcome, and a suitable habit acquired. Let ministers, then, not be deterred from kindly adverting to the subject, from a fear of wounding the feelings of some of their beloved people; and if they persevere, we doubt not the cause of complaint will be removed.

But are not the sermons of some of our ministers longer than is adapted for the profit of their hearers? Extraordinary occasions, indeed, whether arising from the circumstances of time or place, or from the feelings of the speaker or his hearers, may justify a lengthened address. We have read of one who "continued his speech till midnight;" and instead of censuring, we approve and admire his

conduct. But such is no precedent for common occasions. Even an hour, in our opinion, exceeds the time which the delivery of a sermon usually requires. I remember hearing the late Rev. Andrew Fuller say, that "Fifty minutes are long enough for ordinary discourses." Those sermons which are extended beyond proper limits are frequently found to have a lengthened exordium. The porch is too large for the building. Were the introduction to consist of a brief and appropriate explanation, or a few select sentences adapted to awaken attention, ample space would be left for the following parts of the discourse, and especially for the application,-which instead of being hurried over requires time, in order to make a suitable impression on the hearts and consciences of the hearers.

And who, Mr. Editor, that has attended at the solemnities of some ordinations, has not thought that they might have been shortened with advantage? This especially applies to the practice, which was once usual, of including the whole in one continuous service; in which case especial care would be requisite to prevent weariness or exhausted attention. I remember that once, on such an occasion, a worthy minister, long since passed into the skies, injudiciously delivered an introductorg discourse of an hour's length, or beyond it,-in consequence of which an eminent servant of God, upon whom it devolved to address the church and the congregation, was obliged to curtail his discourse, perhaps of one-half of its dimensions. But whether the service be continuous or divided, that part of it would be wisely abridged. An introductory discourse may contain a brief statement of the principles of Dissent, and of the nature and design of the solemn engagements of the day, expressed in the language of candour, firmness, and Christian affection. No wise or good man, whatever be his sentiments, could reasonably be offended at such an exposure. But if there be a long tirade against persons of opposite views, it seldom fails of doing mischief. Devout Churchmen who came to be

The attention which has been devoted, during the last twenty years, to the study of prophecy, with all the extravagance which has accompanied it in certain quarters, has undoubtedly been attended with advantage to the Christian church. If the enthusiastic and the speculative have confused and perplexed the minds of some, the sober and enlightened have exerted an instructive and a salutary influence on the minds of others.

We can hardly persuade ourselves that so many good men would have had their minds directed to prophecy were there not some special periods of prophetic development close at hand. It is God's method to awaken expectation in his chureh, when he is about to accomplish events which have been dimly shadowed forth upon the page of prophecy. Nor is it matter of surprise that a number of good men, addressing themselves to the contemplation of portions of Scripture bound up in figurative and symbolic phrase, should reach somewhat different conclusions as the result of their most deliberate and conscientious thought. Let free inquiry have its course, and only dogmatism be eschewed.

Indeed, we have a growing conviction, that those portions of prophetic Scripture which are still unfulfilled, must remain in considerable obscurity, until Divine Providence shall become their practical interpreter. But it is quite consistent with this conviction that humble and devout students of the Bible should address themselves with diligence to search out the mind of God in reference to the future, lest, from inattention to the prophecies, they should be

F. T.

unable to recognize His wonder-working hand in the day of their fulfilment.

Nor must it be forgotten that a considerable number of the predictions of the Apocalypse have already been accomplished, and have had the seal of history placed upon them. We are deeply interested in ascertaining those parts of them which have already been fulfilled; and in determining what were the events of the past by which they were realized. This is a most legitimate study; and if prosecuted with diligence and humility, may greatly aid us in reference to other portions which are yet unaccomplished. There is obviously a chronological order pertaining to the Apocalypse, as to the predictions of Daniel, which, if carefully traced, may supply us with materials for sober and enlightened interpretation of those parts of the Book which relate to the future history of the Church.

We cannot but congratulate the Christian world upon the publication of Dr. Burder's "Notes on the Prophecies of the Apocalypse." The title is modest and unassuming, and the volume which it designates has no air of learned or elaborate criticism pertaining to it; but our readers would greatly mistake, were they, on these accounts, to conclude, that the Exposition furnished by the respected author was not the result of deep thought and learned investigation. Our impression, from a careful perusal of the entire work, is, that it presente, in a brief space, one of the clearest and most satisfactory elucidations of the Book of Revelation that has seen the light in these times. Dr. Burder informs us that he has studied chiefly "perspicuity, simplicity, and condensation :" and it is remarkable how far he has realized his own aim, especially, in reference to a book of prophecy confessedly so obscure and difficult.

One thing has struck us much in the

perusal of these "Notes," namely, the total absence of all hampering theory on the part of the author. He seems to address himself with honest, Christian simplicity to the examination of the successive scenes and events described by the Apostle, with no other view than to find out, by a fair use of Biblical criticism, the common-sense view of the inspired author, as indicated by the symbolic language in which his predictions are couched.

And as our author is no theorist, so neither is he any slavish follower of the opinions of others. Affecting no originality, and making no parade of learned disquisition, he affords proof, in almost every page, that he has thought, and thought deeply for himself. Notwithstanding the prevailing tendency of the day on the part of some most learned commentators on prophetic Scriptures, to adopt the pre-millennial advent scheme, he has resolutely, and, as we think, successfully opposed it.

"Among the delusive hypotheses," Dr. Burder writes, "to which many are now inclined, I cannot hesitate to include that millenarian scheme of interpretation, according to which the second advent of Christ may be almost immediately expected, as introductory to his personal and visible reign upon earth. This theory appears to me to mislead some of our most learned and most talented expositors of the Apocalypse, so as essentially to damage and to vitiate their interpretations of the latter part of the book, and to render them, notwithstanding their high attainments and their eminent piety, unsafe guides in the study of the Revelation.""

We refer to Dr. B.'s reasons for rejecting the doctrine of the pre-millennial advent with peculiar satisfaction, inasmuch as they are well and clearly announced, and sustained with a force of argument, both from the text itself and the analogy of Scripture, which cannot easily be withstood by those who approach without prejudice to the study of this book. Indeed it is one of the penalties which has been connected with so many of our more sober and enlightened men holding back from publication on the prophecies, that we have been almost overwhelmed with works in support of the personal reign scheme. So much has this been the case, that we believe it is generally supposed, in certain circles, that nothing can be said on the other side of the question. The aid of so able a man as Mr. Elliott has greatly encouraged the class of prophetic students referred to. few sober, thorough-going dissections of this popular theory will restore the balance of the public mind, which has been seriously disturbed. We thank Dr. Burder sincerely for the contribution which he has made in what we deem the right direction.

But a

With other able expositors of the Apocalypse who have no sympathy with the pre-millennial advent theory, Dr. Burder maintains that the first resurrection, (Rev. xx. 5,) will be a literal resurrection, and we see nothing in this view opposed to the analogy of faith: indeed, without committing ourselves entirely to it, we are greatly disposed meanwhile to sympathize with it. Of course Dr. B. considers that the first resurrection will be a limited one, restricted to the martyrs, who will live and reign with Christ, not on earth, but in heaven, in reward of their distinguished service and suffering in His cause.

If we were to announce in few words what we regard to be the prime excellence of the "Notes," &c., before us, we should say it is this,-that they are in strict keeping with each other, and with the general character of the book they are intended to expound. There is a consistency and congruity in their several parts with the structure of that well-compacted and chronological book of prophecy, upon which they shed a clear and steady light.

But we shall conclude this brief notice by quoting the author's words in vindication of the undertaking which he has now completed.

"Some there are, who, in the study of the word of God, would restrict our inquiries into its (the Revelation) prophecies, to such predictions as have already been fulfilled. Even according to their views, then, it should be permissible, and even desirable, to enter on researches into the meaning of the Apocalypse, so far as to ascertain what part of the predictions of this book has been actually fulfilled. Let this be attempted, vigorously, soberly, and devotionally, and a very large proportion of the book will then have been studied; and great light will have been obtained on the character of the age in which we live, and the approaching destinies of the church and the world. In a period so eventful as the present, what reflecting mind can be indifferent to such researches? Even in ages which are past, the light, the strength, and the consolation derived from the study of this book, by martyrs and reformers, were highly valued, and gratefully acknowledged.

"I will only add, that the spiritual delight and benefit arising from the prayerful study of this book, can scarcely be overrated. What can surpass in sublimity and majesty the views opened to us by the visions here set forth of the glory of our enthroned Redeemer, in the world where "angels, and principalities, and powers are subjected to him ;" and where he is encircled by myriads of the blessed of our ransomed race, who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and who are therefore before the throne of