knowledge of the true God throughout the Babylonish kingdom.

God highly honored His faithful servant and made him instrumental in the bringing about of a decree which could not fail of doing extensive good. "Then King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end."

Daniel's fidelity to his God in the hour of severe trial resulted in his own deliverance, in the overthrow of his enemies, and in the spread of the knowledge of the God of Israel. Daniel, in the face of danger and of death, had honored his God, and now the Lord greatly honored him: verifying His promise, "He that honoreth Me, him will I honor." How much good was accomplished by Daniel's faithfulness, eternity will make known. How true the saying in Holy Writ, "No man liveth to himself." As Daniel lived to do good, so does every faithful Christian. He is as a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid. Others will see his good works, his life of practical piety,

and thereby be led to glorify our Heavenly Father too. Through human instrumentality shall the Divine knowledge be extended: "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Let us imitate the illustrious example of Daniel; so shall we, with him, "stand in our lot in the latter day."

SALEM, NEW JERSEY, August 2d, 1848.

PRACTICAL PIETY.

"HE THAT SAITH HE ABIDETH IN HIM OUGHT HIMSELF

WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED."-I. John ii. 6.

ALSO TO

AINT JOHN was eminent even among the

SAINT

apostles for piety. Enjoying the fullness of

redeeming love, walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, he gave evidence that he was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile; and was consequently qualified to guide others in the way of righteous

ness.

His Epistles, as to the style, are plain and simple; as to the matter are replete with heavenly precepts, and everywhere breathe the spirit of love and devotion. Oh, that we, who are so highly favored in having committed to us the inestimable volume, containing not only what this loving apostle wrote, but all that is necessary to our salvation, did duly appreciate it, firmly believe

it, and practically observe it. Then should we rise from the ruins of the fall, and attain to wisdom of mind, purity of heart, and rectitude of conduct.

And, dearly beloved, since many of us make a profession of the religion of Christ, and thereby say to the world that we are united to Him; and since it is possible thus to profess, and yet be destitute of vital godliness, it is essentially necessary that the reality of our profession be manifested by the correctness of our lives. This is clearly set forth in the important portion of Holy Writ selected as the foundation of our present remarks: He that saith that he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked." Now let us notice:

I. The union existing between Christ and the believer. "He that saith he abideth in Him."

It is the belief of some that all who shall be accounted worthy to escape future wrath and participate in future felicity were in Christ from eternity, through the purpose and foreknowledge of God. If this theory be correct, then there has been no commencement to this union. And verily, if any could make such a claim, the great apostle of the Gentiles might feel he was a "chosen vessel." But in the closing remarks of his Epistle

to the Romans, he says: "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." This statement of the apostle clearly proves, that a period did exist in his own history, in which he himself was not in Christ. And since the condition of all men by nature is alike, it follows that all while in a natural state are out of Christ.

The Sacred Volume assures us that there is a vast disparity between the character of Christ and fallen man: the one is holy and undefiled, the other is impure and contaminated. And so long as the dissimilarity remains, there can be no union. It is written, "Your sins have separated between you and your God." Let this barrier be removed, and then only fellowship will be possible. Το effect this great object, and bring about a reconciliation between heaven and earth, God in His infinite love sent forth His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has died and made thereby an atonement for a fallen race, and the Holy Spirit is given to apply the precious redemption. All, therefore, that remains, in order that we may participate in the great salvation, and thus be united to Christ, is that we believe with the heart unto righteousness, and then make confession with the