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TRUTH is represented in the drawing above in the person of an artless female. She is attired with simplicity. In her right hand she holds a mirror. As the mirror reflects objects that pafs before it as they are, without addition, alteration, or diminution, so Truth presents every thing just as it is. The left hand rests on the Holy Bible. This is to show that it is from thence she derives the principles which regulate her conduct, the fource of unadulterated truth to mankind. She is seen trampling a mask beneath her feet. It is the mask of hypocrify, which she rejects with scorn, as being utterly at variance with her principles and feelings. In the background stands the Temple of Truth, the image of which is plainly reflected by the clear, placid stream that glides before it.

Truth, in an evangelical sense, is all-important. It alone will give character to an individual, more than all other qualities put together. It is of itself a rich inheritance, of more worth than mines of filver and gold. It is more ennobling than the highest titles conferred by princes. Everybody loves to be respected, but an individual to be loved and respected must be known. He only can be known who speaks the truth from his heart, and acts the truth in his life. We may guess at others, but as we do not know we cannot respect them, for, like pirates, they oftentimes fail under false colours.

"Nothing is beautiful except Truth," is a maxim of the French, although, it has been most

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deplorably neglected. Nevertheless, the sentiment is correct. Truth is glorious wherever found; Jesus, who is "the Truth," is the altogether lovely, and the fairest among ten thousand. Truth is the glory of youth, and the diadem of the aged. But Truth is essential to happiness, both in this world and also in the next. "what man is he that defireth life, and loveth many days that he may fee good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." Lord, who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that "speaketh the truth." It is related of Cyrus, that when asked what was the first thing he learnt, he replied, "To tell the truth." Cyrus must have been very fortunate in having such good instructors. Lord Chesterfield would have instructed him differently.

In the days of Daniel (as the tradition says), the wife men were ordered by the king to declare what was the strongest thing on earth. Each man brought in his answers; one faid wine was the strongest, another mentioned women; Daniel declared that TRUTH was the most powerful; which answer pleased the king, and the palm of victory was decreed to Daniel.

"Seize, then, on truth where'er 'tis found.
Among your friends, among your foes;
On Christian or on heathen ground,

The plant's divine where'er it grows."

"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the fight of God and man."-Prov. iii. 3.

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."-PROV. xii. 19.

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"Buy the truth and sell it not."-Prov. xxii. 23. "Lie not against the truth."--JAMES iii. 11. "Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth."-ZECH. viii. 16.

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight."-PROV. xii. 23.

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"Till we all come in the unity of the Faith." EPHES. iv. 13. SYMBOLS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH.

See on the right, all glorious Hope doth stand,
And gives to heavenly Truth the plighted hand :
With Seraph's wings outspread, Love stands between :
And binds their hearts with his celestial chain.
These are Faith's emblems ;-these its Parents three :
To produce Faith, Hope, Truth, and Love agree.

CHRISTIAN Faith is represented above, by a union of Truth, Hope, and Love. The hope of heaven is represented by the apostle Paul as the anchor of the foul, consequently Hope is usually depicted leaning on an anchor. She holds Truth by the hand, showing that they must be in close alliance. Truth holds in her hand the Holy Bible as a mirror, whereby sinful men can see the deformity of their hearts. With her right hand, she receives the overtures of Hope; she tramples

under her feet the mask of Hypocrify; fimple and unadorned, she rejects the cloak of dissimulation, and casts aside all concealment. Love holds the middle place, and strengthens the union fubfifting between Hope and Truth. Divine Love is drawn with wings, to represent her heavenly origin.

Faith is both created and preserved by Hope, Truth, and Love. This Triad constitutes its efficient cause. Truth is indeed the mother of Faith. Hope assists in its creation, by its expectations and defires; Love nourishes and reconciles, and thus contributes to lay a foundation

for Faith.

True faith, as represented in the Scriptures, is always connected with a "good hope through grace." The truths of God's word form the only proper objects for its exercise. Without Love, there can be no good works; and "without works faith is dead." Christian Faith, as described above, is diftinguished from the faith of devils, who are faid to "believe and tremble" because they have no hope; and from the faith of wicked men, who "love not the Lord Jesus Christ," and who are confequently "accursed;" and from the faith of the carnal profeffor, who has fold the truth, and has pleasure in unrighteousness.

The proper use of faith is to bring us to God, to enable us to obtain the promises contained in the word or truth of God. If Chrift had not been moved by love, he would not have fuffered;

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