The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-05-20
Moral and Religious.
MY SA VIC r.

ming and tho ending, which Is, anu WHICH WIS "
come" This title which--lke many others belong
ing TO hm-ls as remarkable for ts condescendns sim
pcity MS for its maj esc sublimty, occurs only Tour
times in the sacred volume, and that in the Apoca-
lypse of st John. On each occnsioa, 1t Is assumed
by my Saviour himself. cannot, therefore possibly
err, in nppropriating it to him.
Eternity the date of his existence. The eternal
past and the eternal future are his. Though his hui
nature had its origin, and, as the son oil man. he
became infant ordays, yet even that nature IS to
share the eternal futurity Of Godhead. In my Sa-
viour's will, and through his wisdom and power all
things have their beginning; his glory is their end
For ''in the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and Word was God The same was
in the beginning with God. All things were made
by him; and without him not any thing made
that was made" "For OF him, and through him, and
to him all things; TO whom be glory forever
Amen" He is all that comprehensive circle in
which the universe lives and moves and has its be-
ing. In similar language he revealed himself to his
ancient people, by his evangelical prophet; Isaiah;
''Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his
Redeemer, tho Lord of hosts; am the first, and
am the last, and beside me there is no Cod "Be-
fore there was no God formed neither shall there be
after me-" "Mne hand has also laid the (ounda-
ton of the earth, and my right hand spanned the
heavens How perfect is The harmony of Scrip
ture, in its testimony to my Saviour!
Is the Lord Jesus Christ, then the Alpha and On
ega Of my soul? Does he hold presidency of my af-
fections Is he the than magic circle drawn
around my heart which meets me and is most well
come wherever turn my eyes' Is he ut the
centre and circumference Of my hapPness-the point
to which all my desires tend, and the limit beyond
which they would stray' Irso, am blest
indeed.
This title my Saviour is three adopted by him,
in close connection with the prospect and
ment Of his second advent lie may occupy the last
place in human thought. The rowing eye and the
Vag rant affections Of man may seldom
trust on him. But, 'belold he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him; and all kindreds Of the earth shall wall
because Of him.' o my soul, canst thou answer,
"Even so, Amen?' Look, therefore, at the trans
porting view which the glowing pencil of prophecy
has depicted ''I heaven and a new
earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was more And I,
JohS, saw the holy city, jerusalem, coming
down from God gu: of heaven, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. And heard great voice
ont of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle Of
God Is with men; and he will dwell among them,
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall
be with them, and be their God. And God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall
he no more death, neither shall there be any more
pain; for the former things passed away. And he
that sat upon the throne said, Behold, ! make all
things new. And he said unto me- Write; for these
words are true and faithful. And he said unto me,
1t is done. | am Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the end. will give unto him that is ahirst of
the fountain Of the water of life freely" How GER
tain are my expectations and what suitable supplies
Of grace are assured to me in the interim, since he
who is the Alpha and Omega the Universe, is also
the author and fnisher of my faith!
The signs of the days in which ve and the state of
things, both in s. of the church, seem to give new
force to tho prophetic oracle -" The time is at hand.
Behold, come quickly: and my reward is with me,
TO give every man according as his work shall be.
am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end the
first & the last - And how and my fellow Chris
tians better employ much of the intermediate time
than in meditation the names and attributes Of him
whom we all expect from heaven? For what are
those and attributes considered in relation to
us, but SO many revelations of the Redeemers grace
ana our D1ss! mus occupied, snail not he filled
with CONSERVATION when he come,h, whether it be
sat even, or at midnight, at ck-crowing or in
the morning. for shall lift up MY eyes, not upon
an unknown Judge, from whom I have every thing to
dread, but upon friend, from whom shall have ev-
cry thing to hope, and whom have been accustomed
with humility, yet with ufeconate confidence, to
call my Saviour.
And when shall have beeld that transforming
vision, and thereby shall have beocrendered .slike
him, 'he who was the Alpha of my happiness & my
hope, will also be its Omega. There will never be
point, even through unlimited eternity when he
will TO be, will be less the source of my re-
licy shall behold, in his eternity, the perpetuiy
Of my own existence and my own joys. Lord, let
me not incur the guilt of looking short of thee; be-
yond thee, cannot look for enjoyments While
profess to anticipate in thee and from thee alone the
sum total ofmy future and everlasting happiness
surely may take thee my sufficient portion, thro'
present life who art to be tho fulness of NV oy for
ever.
My Saviour! what theme for mortal tongue!
For never yet hath burning spirit flung
nbaPi chord io