General Epistle, by their attendance on other Epistle Committees, or on the various services of the meeting. We doubt, moreover, the soundness of the principle which would delegate to any committee, however large, the responsibility of what should be the living concern of the Yearly Meeting.

So ended the Yearly Meeting of 1867; to bear fruit, we trust, in the hearts of those who had the privilege of attending it, in increased confidence in the soundness of those religious principles, and that form of church government, which distinguish the Society of Friends from other bodies; in an increased harmony among the different classes of mind and different tendencies of thought which exist within the body; and above all, in an increased desire that the Society and its individual members should occupy their place in promoting purer views of religious truth, and raising a higher standard of individual duty and allegiance to Christ.

ALFRED W. BENNETT.

MUSINGS OF THINGS WHICH SHALL BE.*

BY DAVID HUNT, IOWA, U.S.

WHERE the restless waters of the Grecian Archipelago incessantly lave the rock-bound coast of Patmos, and the monotonous roar of the cavern-curbed billows adds solemnity to the surrounding desolation of land and sea; there, upon the solitary beach, pensive and lone, sat the sorrowing exile, the younger son of Zebedee, banished from the company and comforts of the

"Blest land of Judea, thrice hallowed in song,

Where the holiest of memories pilgrim-like throng,"

because he persisted in preaching Christ and the resurrection.

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But in his devotional reveries he was translated into spiritual communion with our great High Priest, the Man of Nazareth, and with the saints in light; and in apocalyptic visions he was shown the likeness of things hoped for, and received confirming evidence of things not seen by mortal. Thus, enveloped in a halo of wonder, love, and praise," he beheld one of those messengers of the determinate counsels of Jehovah standing upon the sea and upon the dry land (representing the stable and the unstable),—his commission sealed, and his voice commensurate with the length and breadth of time's remotest verge, his words go forth with the confirmed authority of Him who sitteth upon the great white throne, and liveth for ever and ever, "There shall be time no longer." His voice re-echoes through the realms of day and night. The sun, the

*Written while confined several days at Sheffield by indisposition.

moon and stars, the indexes on time's old dial-plate, fade from the view:-all bright that morn, but annihilation wipes them out for ever. The wheels of time, which, since Creation's dawn, had rolled incessant, now creak, and groan, and stop to move no more. Again, chaotic darkness reigns throughout the realms profound, as erst before 'twas spoken, "Let there be light;" and silent all without the ripple of a stream or whisper of a breeze.

Another messenger of high behest stands on the pearl-white battlements of heaven. A voice is heard,

"Gabriel, go, proclaim the sound,

And wake the nations under ground."

Then loud and long the trumpet peals, thrilling through the dark abyss, where light erewhile had spread his radiant wings. This the last trump, foretold by apostolic pen, with inspiration clear: "For the trumpet shall sound;" and then follows, "the dead shall be raised incorruptible." And He by whom all things consist, who never spoke unless event confirming followed, like words had uttered and sealed to us on evangelic page: "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear (my) voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." And though heaven, with noise of thunderings, pass away, and earth with fervent heat dissolve, and both together as an ancient scroll be rolled, Emmanuel's words stand fast among immutables, "shall be fulfilled."

The books of time are closed. The angel of mercy, long hovering o'er our race, with balm, and wine, and oil of consolation, now spreads her light wings, and soars to worlds on high, her native home. The Son of God, the crucified, puts off his mediatorial vestments, intercession finished, clothed now with light, and

crowned with majesty and power, stands forth confessed, the Judge of quick and dead. The dead arise. All that are in the graves come forth. Death and hell, the earth and sea, all give up their dead. The Scripture now fulfilled, "Oh, grave, where is thy victory?” Resuscitate, reanimate, God-given bodies, and to each and every seed and soul its own distinctive vestment; not metaphysical idealities, but bodies spiritual with faculties complete; some prepared to see the King in His glory, to hear His gracious words, and to sing angelic anthems;-others, alas! to suffer all the woes of banishment. Thus conscious, countless millions wait, expectant all; till, lo! the Son of God, the Son of Man, comes as He ascended from the ancient mount. The nether gloom enlightened now, His own intrinsic radiance illumes each shade. All eyes upraised behold Him coming. Mystic clouds, with glory bright, are floating round. Myriads of angels outline the scene entire. Jesus "comes to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." But those who disbelieved, and in their life-time set Him and His commands at nought, cannot take comfort now.

This lower throng, to right and left, are separate all. Hope, joy, peace, love, delight, not simply virtues, but living realities now, as wreaths of flowers of rich perfume, possessed by all on the right hand. Hear that gentle whisper, as a breeze through verdant grove, "our Saviour, our Deliverer comes." Meanwhile in the etherial vault, the voices of four and twenty elders echo through air responsive: "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."

But, alas! the filthy, the defiled, who persistent in rebellion stood, all quaking now with fear, cry out, "'tis He whom we reviled and mocked. Oh, rocks and mountains, ye everlasting hills, fall on us now;

cover, oh hide us now from Him." But all transfixed, not one can flee away. Instinctive reverence covers all. Every knee bends low. The lips of all are moving; words are heard: "Jesus Christ is Lord. Glory be to God the Father." The Scripture is fulfilled, "Every knee shall bow."

Amen.

No priest nor scribe now dare to wag their heads; no cruel soldiers now deride with crown of thorns; no purple robe is brought with taunts and jeer; no Hebrew rabble raise the cruel cry, "Let Him be crucified." No governor nor No governor nor king claims power to take his life; no more the impious blow; not now lamb-like unto the slaughter led, not now like sheep before her shearers dumb. But now all else are dumb. He on the imperial throne, holding the undisputed sceptre of the universe; the name in golden letters bright on vesture and on thigh, "King of kings, and Lord of lords."

The dead, both small and great, before Him stand. The Judge supreme turns to the right, with radiant smile surpassing all beneficence, and look of owning love divinely sweet. His accents flow in terms of kindest welcome "My own redeemed, my jewels, my blood-bought children; ye have kept my faith, ye have not denied my name, ye have borne my yoke; henceforth your joy is full. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom long since prepared for you. Angels, clothe them with robes of purest white; put crowns upon their heads, with palm in every hand. Conduct them through your golden gate where flowers for ever bloom, and give to each a harp celestial.” Hark! what seven-fold hallelujahs rise from the angelic throng: glory and honour, salvation and power, be unto the Lord God and to the Lamb, who was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood.

Then to the fearful on the left the Judge resumes "I paid your ransom; I waited long; I