confession has been duly made, to say—"By the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost." That the words of our Lord concerning the forgiveness and retention of sins do not mean what the Ritualists, both Anglican and Roman, assume they mean, is obviously manifest from the history and writings of the Apostles, to whom these words were primarily addressed. There is not so much as a single hint either that they imagined this language of Christ conferred on them the authority which Ritualists find in the words, or that they ever attempted to put these solemn words to any such use. The Apostles were empowered authoritatively to declare the terms upon wbich the Divine forgiveness would be vouchsafed or withheld, but of themselves they never dared to assume the prerogative of forgiving sins. Upon the powers assumed to be conferred on the priest, and upon the official status given him in and by the ordination ceremony, the whole superstructure of Ritualism is virtually reared. Upon this basis rise quite naturally the tenets of Ritualistic baptism, confession, absolution, and the sacramental Real Presence. So also the greatest stress is laid upon the title-priest. And this, notwithstanding that Peter has so distinctly declared that the only priesthood which he recognised was that spiritual priesthood common to all believers, who constitute a holy priesthood, who are to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This "royal priesthood " is the common heritage of all bona fide Christians, and is in no respect peculiar to a class of men upon whose heads a titled officer has imposed his hands. By the most positive voice of inspiration, believers are solemnly declared to be “ kings and priests unto God.” Hence we are all responsible in our degree for carrying forward the ministration of Christ's truth in the world. We are each and all to minister at the spiritual altar of revealed truth.

I shall bave missed my object if I leave you with the impression that Ritualism is a system easily rebutted and of superficial consequence. There is a long and hard battle to be fought with Ritualism in this land. This arises from the fact that it strongly appeals to some fandamental inclinations and dispositions of human nature. Moreover, it must not be forgotten that Ritualism itself involves a great principle; the particular forms it takes on to-day.may be changed to-morrow; its outward pbases may vary in different Churches, but the principle remains. What is this principle? The presentation to the human heart of something external and tangible and claiming religious authority, upon which reliance may be placed for salvation. Whatever religious system can do this with a fair degree of plausibility has a powerfal lever to work for the attainment of a certain kind of success. This is what Ritualism sets itself to do. Hence its power is not to be despised. We are sometimes astonished that men of learning and ability apparently surrender themselves, body, soul, and spirit, to the attractions of Ritualism. It becomes our duty to inquire carefully into

the causes of such fervent adhesions to the cause of Ritualism which we are constantly witnessing, and which give it so much honour and éclat in the eyes of men. It is wise to learn from our opponents. Permit me to farnish you with a few statements of Dr. Littledale, an eminent Ritualist of London, who has done not a little to help forward the cause of Ritualism. In a letter in the Spectator of May 31, 1879, Dr. Littledale writes of what is called “ the Catholic Revival," that it is marked by “ these characteristics—devotion, realisation of the supernatural, and self-forgetfulness, as to all of which Protestantism is markedly deficient." As to devotion, he points out that one very marked feature of the ritualistic movement has been the revival of old and forgotten books of devotion, the adaptation of some of the best Roman books, and the production of new ones in great variety and almost countless numbers. The supernaturalism, he asserts, is specially identified with the two sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. Then as to the flexibility of Ritualism, Mr. Littledale remarks that its guilds, confraternities, bare and sternly simple mission services, united with great stateliness on other occasions, all make for freedom and variety. Ritualism is, we can clearly see, a great movement. It is a mistake to imagine that it is mainly a question of millinery, or of music, or of a particular style of ceremony. It has sprung from a principle. We believe this principle is a wrong one, but it is a strong one. The whole genius of the gospel, as we understand it, is entirely against men putting the least reliance for salvation upon any ceremonious acts or upon any class of persons coming between them and God. I think we do well to learn more adequately to appreciate the zeal, the selfdenial, the thorough belief which characterise many Ritualists. These seem to be the elements which, in their full degree, the Christian Churches are sadly lacking at the present time. Our possession of the pure truth of Jesus should inspire us with a zeal worthy of the truth itself; our devotion does not require for its nourishment ritualistic appointments to sustain its life; our Christian Churches ought to possess as much flexibility as the most fervid Ritualist cauld desire. Above all, we have the Holy Spirit as the great and gracious Inspirer of our individual hearts, and of all our Churches. Let us, then, brace ourselves up to loyalty to Christ's truth, to fresh service and consecration to the Master's causa. There is much need for this. I trust that our present consideration of this theme may contribute toward giving us each a new inspiration to live and speak for Christ.

A DREAM. ONE bright summer afternoon I nothing but such trifles that it was wandered slowly down a green hardly worth doing at all; and yet lane. I was feeling very down- I could see no chance of anything cast, for it seemed to me that my more important coming in my way, life was so useless and may work such as I saw many of those around me busy with. I sauntered on until there was yet likeness enough I reached a wood, where the light between them to leave no doubt falling through the leaves of the that they were brothers ; and I saw trees above me checkered the that the badge they wore on breast flower and moss strewn pathway. and shield was a blood-red cross. But I had no eyes that day for all | Turning to my guide, I asked him the beauty around me, and at last, to tell me the meaning of all I saw. weary in mind and body, I sat down Then he said, “ There is a great in a shady nook, and, lulled by the battle to be fought here to-day, murmur of a brook near by, soon and in these tents are the warriors fell fast asleep.

of the great King, who will come In my dream it seemed to me forth presently to fight the legions that an angel stood beside me, and of the enemy. Look yonder; on somehow I knew at once that this the other side of the field you can was my angel—the guardian spirit see the black tents, overhung with sent by my heavenly Father to a canopy of smoke, in which they help and guard me through my are encamped. Last night the life's journey. He looked down at King passed through His host, and me, and in his eyes, mingled with visited each combatant, appointing a tender compassion, was some to every man his work in to-day's thing of rebuke. It was such a fight, and promising as the reward look as one might bend on a ten- of faithful service the honour of derly loved child, who, partly knighthood from His own royal through want of comprehension, hand this evening in His own city. was indulging a murmuring spirit. Now watch and see the issue of the

His voice sounded very sweet to battle." He ceased, and I turned me as he bid me come with him, again to look on the two lads still for he would show me something more earnestly as I thought how that would do me good. Then they were to have the opportunity taking me by the hand he raised of winning their spurs that day. me, and led me on and on till we They were speaking to one reached a large open plain, on another of the King's visit to each one side of which there were the night before. "My King gave ranged thousands of white tents, me a glorious charge for to-day," from each of which floated' á said the eldest. “For to me is en banner. As my eye wandered trusted the banner of our division, over the vast array, I saw that to plant it or yonder height. I the banners were all alike, the have prayed, jr strength from colour of them blood-red, and the above that I may not fail in the motto I could see even in the dis- enterprise, but that I may behave tance — the one word "LOVE," myself as a faithful soldier, even to wrought in bright gold.. Above the end." His eye kindled with the tents was an indescribable loyal enthusiasm as he spoke; then brightness, which I soon perceived turning to the other he went on, to be caused by the shimmer of " Tell me, dear brother, what did the white robes of innumerable our King assign to you?" "Ah!” angels hovering over the camp, a he answered, “ I should almost be guardian band.

inclined to wish my part were We drew nearer, and stayed our more like yours, to envy you your steps at the entrance of one of the glorious charge, were it not for the tents. Within were two lads, both token my dear Lord left with me young, and both beautiful. Though to sweeten my lowly toil. He said, differing much from each other, Do this for love of me.' and now I

H

care not what my work may be, sunlight-bathed rock which was for the smallest, the most trivial the goal at which he aimed. At thing, becomes glorified by the last he reached a part of the field light of that word.” As he spoke where the combatants were so I saw that his face took a new thick that I could not distinguish beauty, and the light and love in' him any longer. his eyes as he looked upwards was Turning to the lad who had been something not of earth. “My left in the tent, I saw him in his task," he continued, " is to take good armour, looking strong and the path along the bottom of the ready for the fight, just preparing valley yonder, giving what help I to set forth. As he went on his ean to others. And even this I way along the valley, across which may not do yet, for my Lord said: thousands of combatants were surgmy shield was not bright enough, ing, I saw many who were beginmy weapons not sharp enough, nor ning to flag, glance at his bright I myself strong enough for all I young face and firm unflinching shall have to do this day. So He step, and take fresh courage for has bidden me to remain by the their own struggle. tents for the first hours of the Presently he came upon one morning until the refreshing He engaged in a desperate hand-towill send from above has made me hand fight with one of the foe, who stronger. Meanwhile I may polish had nearly got the better of him. my shield and sharpen my sword, Just as the young soldier came up, that I may be ready to start the the sword had been dashed out of moment the signal is given." his hand, and he strove vainly to

As he ceased, the other suddenly regain it, while his malignant sprang to his feet, with a radiant adversary prepared to aim a deadly look of calm resolve on his face. blow at him; but just then he felt “Hark!” he cried eagerly. “I the hilt once more put into his hear my call! Farewell, dear hand, and with one mighty effort friend, until we meet again at he drove the good blade through eventide in the presence-chamber his enemy's body. Then on the of the King." And seizing his young soldier went, and in the banner he left the tent, never to path just before him he saw a man return to it any more. . His brother lýing apparently wounded unto followed the noble form loyingly death. He knelt down beside him, and longingly with his eyes until bound up his wounds, and fetched they filled with tears, then hastily water from the stream hard by, brushing the drops away and with which was of such wonderful one loving look upwards, he sat efficacy that it revived him at once, down patiently to work and wait. and he was able once more to go

Then I turned to watch the on in the service of the King. standard - bearer as he pressed At last the youthful warrior bravely on his way, shouting his began to draw near the place war-cry; but I saw that he was where the battle was hottest, and often hard bestead by the foe, and in the very thickest of the fight he only his good armour kept him caught sight of the well-known from being wounded unto death. banner that used to float above the The ground was rough and diffi- tent occupied by himself and his cult, and he often fell, but still he brother. One glance was enough Clung desperately to the precious to tell him that the bearer was standard, and pressed over forward battling with great odds and was with his eye fixed on the point of hard pressed, for the banner waved

wildly to and fro, and sometimes too, the battle was ended. He even seemed as if it would fall also was lying in unconsciousness altogether. So, loudly shouting at the foot of the hill. The help his battle-cry, he burst into the he had come up so opportunely to midst and hacked right and left render was his last effort; but as with his good sword, until he freed he lay there was still the same his brother, who immediately con- sweet and lofty expression that I tinued bis upward way with the had seen on his face throughout, banner, while the younger still only now it was transcendent in its remained in the valley below, incomparable loveliness. Then an keeping the remainder of the band angel came to him also, but as he of the enemy at bay.

was raised he seemed to recover At last I saw the summit reached, some measure of life, for his blue and the banner immovably planted; eyes opened, and with a half smile but the brave young soldier who upon his pale lips I heard him had borne it so dauntlessly all day, murmur, “ For love of Him." exhausted by the last effort, sank The voice of my heavenly guide down senseless by the side of it. fell on my ear, saying gently:

As soon as he lost consciousness “ They are both gone home toI saw the angel, who had hovered gether to receive their knighthood above him all the day, descend, in the kingdom of their dearlyand taking him in his strong arms, loved Lord.” I needed no more, he bore him up, and ever up, until and with the words “ For love of he was lost to my sight.

Him" sounding in my ears like Then I looked for the younger sweet music, I awoke. brother, and I saw that for him,

WHAT DAVID NEVER SAW.

BY THE REV. T. R. STEVENSON. “I have been young, and now am old ; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”—PSALM XXXVII. 25.

DAVID says that he is now old. By-and-by the iron pen of destiny must add " finis” to his life-story: presently his part in the human drama will be played out. Many a day ago he “ was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance," a fair-haired and blue-eyed boy. But the locks are now grey and thin, the cheek is hollow, there are ominous tell-tale lines across the manly brow. His voice has lost the music and his hand the firm grip of former years. He could not again beard the lion as when he was a lad: the bear that once quailed be fore him would to-day get the advantage in a tusele: as for the defiant Philistine, had the youthfal champion failed to floor him, the tremulous veteran would not have done it.

Old people are generally garrulous : less work means more talk. It was so with the Jewish king of whom we speak. But his garrulity was grand. He was not simply communicative : you find that his communications are consolations. Roman story tells of pearls found at the bottom of the wine cap, and we shall discover that, as the