wings; who is a refuge from the storm, and a covert from the tempest; when the blast of the terrible is as a storm against the wall.

These are only a very few of the reasons, for the limits of this address will not admit of enlargement, which should call the Christian church to united prayer.

The motives which were urged in former invitations, to which you are referred, abide with increasing force.

It is enough now to say that the Lord has encouraged us to persevere in prayer, by His gracious answers-That the increasing activity of Papists and of Infidels are powerful calls upon his people to awake from their slumbers, and arouse themselves to their divine Master's service. Whilst the signs of the times bring his words to our remembrance with almost invincible power-" Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments."

The following suggestions are respectfully offered to assist those who are desirous of uniting in this general concert for prayer.

1st. Let Christians follow the example of our blessed Lord, (Mark i. 25.) who rose up a great while before day for secret prayer. Let them thus secure the blessing of him, who says, "Pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

2nd. Let them call upon the Lord in their families, for his Spirit to be poured upon themselves and their households, their neighbours, their country, the ministers of the Lord, the churches of Christ, the remnant of scattered Judah and outcast Israel, and upon the Gentile world.

3rd. Let the ministers of the Lord afterwards privately meet with their brethren of their own communion, in earnest prayer for themselves, their flocks, the whole body of Christ, and the world at large; and then specially consult together upon the most effectual means for hastening the coming of the Lord's kingdom, and particularly for the continuance of such a general concert for prayer, that the year may proceed according to this devout commence

ment.

4th. Where circumstances will admit of a morning service, let the congregation be assembled, and in addition to the appointed prayers and a suitable sermon, let all who are devoutly disposed partake together of the supper of the Lord; or

5th. As may be more convenient, let the whole congregation meet in the evening for public worship, and let an appropriate discourse be preached.

May the Lord accompany these means of grace, or such others as may be adopted, with his abundant blessing. Oh! may it indeed be a season of special refreshment from the presence of the Lord.

Let this be the prayer of all who read this paper, and as the new year is now approaching, it would be a great kindness if those who approve the object, and have influence over the press, would republish and circulate this invitation, which any one, into whose hands it may fall, has full permission to do.

Peace be with all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

Thus prays their affectionate brother and servant in the Lord,

JAMES HALDANE STEWART.

St. Bride's, Liverpool.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE day which commemorates the nativity of our Lord ought to be a day of rejoicing and great gladness to all Christians. This day is set apart to celebrate that event, which the Old Testament prefigured, and all the prophets foretold.

The unblemished sacrifices of lambs and other offerings, typified "the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world" for us men and our salvation.

Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners," the heavenly babe was born into a world lying in wickedness.

"But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Gal. iv. 2.

The Almighty God, infinite in power, did not arouse the guilty from the stupor of sin by the flash of the lightning or roll of the thunder. By means of a still small voice he quickens those "who were dead in trespasses and sins." His holy Spirit operates with the Word, which was God, by whom all things at the beginning were made.

This "Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. iv. 12.

This Word, clothed in human form, came down

among us, entered the world in the form of an infant, to work out for us a great salvation; to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. In the character of a prophet, our Immanuel taught his disciples, and warned them of things to come. In the character of a priest, he made an offering for them. As a king, he reigned over them.

Christ rules and reigns in the hearts of his beloved people. He tells them truly, "The kingdom of God is within you." Luke xvii. 21. Where Christ is, his kingdom must be. We who by nature were far from him, are brought nigh.

"God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." 2 Cor. v. 19. God manifest in the flesh is quite beyond our finite comprehension. We must meekly receive, and rejoice in the whole unfathomable truth, summed up by the apostle: "Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Tim. iii. 16.

If he were less than God, or lower than God, we ought not to worship him as God. To bow down to an inferior being is idolatry; but of Jesus it is written, "Unto us a child is born-unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah ix. 6.

Nothing can be more sure, more full, and plain than this word of prophecy, spoken seven hundred and forty years before its fulfilment.

Our Lord's own testimony corroborates the prophecy, "I and my Father are one." John x. 30.

"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, shew us the Father? Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very work's sake." John xiv. 8-11.

"Take

The testimony of St. Paul corroborates it. heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers; to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts xx. 28.

Jesus did such works as no other man ever did; and yet the world is like Philip, unbelieving.

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." John i. 10.

As a weak and helpless babe he was born into that world which his own hands created; and even while still a babe he was worshipped as God over all. Take notice, the wise men paid no adoration to the virgin mother, but to the child only; they fell down and worshipped HIM. Matt. ii. 11.

"He is before all things, and by him all things consist."

"It pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell." Col. i. 19-22, 23.

"All the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Cor. i. 30, 31.

"And you that were some time alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through