See Christianity! the gift of Grace! For earth, renewed with joy, receives her King. The above engraving represents Christianity receiving the homage of the world. In her right hand she holds the crown of immortality; in her left, the Word of God; her looks and bearing bespeak grace, dignity, majesty, empire, triumph, and matchless love. Behold Europe brings her crown-emblem of power-and lays it meekly at the feet of Christianity. Afia, represented by a follower of Mahomet, laying aside the scimetar and the Koran, receives with humble adoration, instead thereof, the revelations of God's word. Africa is represented by a figure in a kneeling posture; she has broken off her chains, and is lifting her hands to heaven. America is represented by an Indian; he holds in his hand the calumet or pipe of peace; he has laid afide the He murderous tomahawk, the bow that sprang the arrow of death, and the scalping-knife. buries the hatchet for ever, and offers the emblem of peace. The above is a representation of the final triumph of Christianity over the world-a day long expected by the faithful, even from the time of the first promise, "he shall bruise thy head." That this earth-this blood-stained earth-should become the scene of triumph, has ever been the hope of the righteous; that here, where was the first defeat, renewed conflict, and continued struggle-here would be, and ought to be, the arena of victory. Exulting in this hope, the prophet touched the sacred harp of prophecy, and fang of "the sufferings of Christ, and of the glory that should follow," when he would fee of the travail of his foul and be satisfied. In this hope Israel's king prayed, "that thy way may be known upon the earth, and thy saving health among all nations." Inspired by this hope, martyrs have kifled the stake, embraced the flames, and gone triumphantly home to God; yea, the general assembly of the Church of the first-born -the whole body of the faithful upon earth-in this hope rejoicing, have sent up their prayers continually, which, like intercessory angels furrounding the throne of the Eternal, have prayed, O "let thy kingdom come." And now it has come. Europe is the Lord's -she confecrates to God her dominion-her kings and queens are subject to Meffiah, and labour to promote the best interests of their people; her people are all righteous-her philosophers, having proved all things, hold fast now that which is good; her rich men depofit their wealth in the bank of heaven-her statesmen, studying the politics of both worlds, regard also the interests of both the poor are raised to competency, to knowledge, and to virtue, and consequent happiness. Her arts and sciences are confecrated to God; her ships of war now fail in the service of the Prince of Peace-ships of commerce are floating Bethels. The fongs of Jesus have fucceeded to the songs of Satan, and blafphemies are turned to praise. "The abundance of the sea is converted to God," railroads, steamboats, and telegraphs, are all employed in promoting God's glory, and in benefiting mankind. The Anglo-American race, and others, partake of this triumph; they have laboured for it-they rejoice in it, and say, lo! this is our God! we have waited for him, we will rejoice in his falvation. Afia too is the Lord's; here, where the conflict first began with fin and death-here the victory is gained. The lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed the inhabitants, so long enslaved by despotic creeds, now exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ-so long oppressed by fyftems of fuperftition and blood, now rejoice under the mild yoke of the Saviour, -the Koran and Shafters are exchanged for the Bible-Juggernaut for Calvary-Kalee for Jesus-Mahomet for God. Here now is seen "China without its wall of felfishness-India without its castes-and earth without its curse." The people are elevated, the nations are united, Jehovah is their King. Africa throws off her load, and breaks her chains, and comes to Jesus-so long crushed and degraded, she has at length arisen she takes her place again with the nations of the earth, with the redeemed. Ignorance, superftition, and lavery, are now no more. Her warfare is past -her mourning is o'er-her long captivity is at an end. Jehovah has triumphed his children are free. "No more Coomassie offers human blood, America, the whole of the western world, rejoices in the light of the glorious Sun of Righteousness-the islands of the sea wait for Jehovah's law-the Indian tribes obey his word, and hail him their Almighty Lord. The tomahawk and scalping knife, and other weapons of war and blood, are exchanged for the olive branch-for the war-whoop is now heard the found of the "church-going bell," greeting the Sabbath morning-the disciple of the Pope has become the difciple of Jesus, and laying afide all fuperftition, he worships the Lord his God, and Him only does he serve. The dispersed of the feed of Abraham, the "scattered and peeled" among the nations, have looked upon Him "they pierced." The winds of heaven have blown upon the valley of dry bones-they have revived-they have come forth out of their graves, and seizing every one the banner of his tribe, have hastened to join the army of Meffiah. to Hail! happy day! Jesus the Conqueror reigns -the fong of triumph resounds-island answers to ifland-continent to continent-world world ;-earth, with all its voices-heaven, with all its harps, resound, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his anointed, and he shall reign for ever and ever; alleluia! alleluia! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth"-" He that fat upon the throne faid, Behold, I make all things new!" Even now, the Spirit is moving on the face of the human chaos-fiat after fiat goes forth, and what light breaks in on the darkness of ageswhat mighty masses of humanity are uplifting themselves in folemn majesty, like primitive mountains rifing from the deep-what more than verdant beauty clothes the moral landscape; |