ranges often around its car those who were at first its most dangerous enemies. Christianity is the true light, the sun which eclipses all the first glimmerings of earth. I am, says Christ, the Light of the world.

Lastly, does the present age speak much of the future? Is attention refused to every doctrine which does not bear on the future? The future, gentlemen, belongs to Christianity; this claim is not dated, as with our ephemeral prophets, from to-day or from yesterday, but four thousand years ago. The seventeenth century was that of the past; the eighteenth that of the present; the nineteenth is that of the future therefore it is the century of Christianity. Sincere and enlightened men can no longer remain strangers to those ancient prophecies of the future, treasured in the book of the people! Tracing in history the accomplishment of the oracles of God, they will arrive at those which announce that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord; that his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah xi.) Ever since these prophecies were uttered by inspired lips, every thing has advanced, and is still advancing towards their glorious accomplishment. Christianity is in progress and will never recede. Its task is as yet hardly sketched, but it will not fail to perform it: it will effect a great revolution upon the earth, which will change its very being. Perhaps the times are not far distant when its destinies shall hasten on. Christ is opening to the world the gates of a new future. Presently, as the prophet speaks, great voices shall be heard, saying, "The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ." (Rev. xi.)

For all these reasons, then, I maintain that the study of the Christian history is the most important of all historical studies, not only generally, but especially with reference to the present day. The future destinies of the world are in the hands of Christianity; here is the regenerating energy which is to renew the nations, the unity which is to unite them; here is the beneficent power which is to diffuse and establish righteousness, and liberty, and peace upon the earth. Here alone, my contemporaries, you will learn what direction to give to all your efforts and labours. Study in the past the history of that which is to do such great things in the future. To this subject consecrate your researches and grave meditations. Set the example of leaving the routine of the day and of seeking light, life, and insight into the future, where alone they can be found. And you, my younger hearers, be first to comprehend the calling of the rising generation. Receive first for yourselves the light which Christianity has kindled, and then go forth to be lights of the world.

Gentlemen, I now call your attention to the history of the Reformation in Germany, at least to the most important period of that history. You will ask me, perhaps, what induced me to choose this subject, and what are the circumstances which lead me to bring it before you. Gentlemen, I have seen Germany, and I have loved it, but most of all on account of that excellent work which I am about to relate. When I arrived in Germany, in 1817, it was the fête of the third secular jubilee of the Reformation, which met me upon the roads and in the cities of Germany. I remember-not without pain, when I reflect how little of the spirit of the Reformation rested upon

them-I remember the numerous bands of students who flocked to the ancient and famous castle of Wartburg (where we shall soon see Luther a captive): I would fain believe that these young people were rather imprudent than criminal! I remember that the walls of the old fortress to which these young Germans were marching in solemn procession, opened to me at once, at the name of Geneva, and with what emotion I found myself in the chamber of Luther's captivity. I remember the melodious songs which a few days afterwards announced the fête within the walls of Leipzig, descending before the dawn of day from the invisible towers of the churches, as if from heaven. I found the reformation at Berlin in the persons of illustrious doctors. I will only name Neander, the father of the new history of Christianity, whose affection is so dear to my heart, and who has revived in Germany that Christian instruction which younger friends, as Tholuck and Hengstenberg, now animate with all the energy of their faith. I found it on the banks of the Elbe, among the friends and relations of the simple but profound messenger of Wandsbeck,' and of the sublime poet of the Messiah. I found it even in old and Catholic Brabant, near the throne, on which was seated the descendant of the family of Nassau, the heir of Maurice the Silent, that noble hero of the reformation in the Low Countries. Soon the earth trembled there beneath my feet; the throne which was raised upon it fell at the report of the fall of another throne. A queen of cities became for four days the bloody theatre of frightful combats. I was

1 Claudius. See his Works in four vols. Hamburgh.

H

the witness, and nearly the victim, of unutterable calamities. I returned to our mountains after an absence of fourteen years, desiring, with the help of God, to speak of those things to my countrymen, whose influence and glory I had felt everywhere. Perhaps I did not find among all in my native soil those noble, just, and liberal manners which charmed me so much in a foreign land. But, subject myself to human weaknesses, I can excuse them in others. If any are willing to listen to my simple recital, I invite them to the plains of Mansfield, the cells of Erfurt, the halls of Wittenberg, the palaces of Augsburg, of Leipzig and of Worms. You will see the reformation, and examine its details. You will not I have seen

receive on your neck the yoke of men. Wittenberg-I have seen the land where the papal despotism of Rome fell: let us not bend to the infidel despotism of the age. Free myself, I seek for freemen, and believe that I have found them. May the divine blessing rest upon my narrative. May words be given me that shall tend to spread true light and true liberty; and while I relate to you the history of a great event in the history of God's kingdom, may the image of Christ, the King of saints, grow more bright continually before your eyes, and in your inmost heart.

THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH

ONE,

UNDER ALL THE SUCCESSIVE FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY.

BY J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE,

[This discourse, which the Author, as President of the Theological School of Geneva, was called upon to deliver at the opening of the anniversary meeting of that School, May 1, 1834, is printed by request of the Committee of the Evangelical Society of that city.]

The church, dispersed through all the world, announces this faith, she teaches it, she transmits it, as if she possessed but one mouth. For though there are in the world diverse methods of expressing oneself, the force of the truth, differently transmitted, is one and ever the same; as the sun, that work of God, is one and the same in all the universe.-IRENEUS, Adv. Her. b. i. ch. 3.

GENTLEMEN,

WHAT immense activity is displayed by men upon the earth; what various labours, what efforts do we behold! But time levels the greater part of their