that intensity and force, which its importan demands, our denomination, small as it is comparison with others, would be as a city s on a hill, whose magnificence could be se from afar, and whose foundations would endu throughout the ages, a city of wisdom a

light, sending out, through all time, divine a noble influences, for the regeneration of t world. Let us yield to the sentiment of the te and confide in God, that He will infallibly p tect and prosper the right. AMEN.

"And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, my father, shall I smite them?. shall I smite them?"-2 KINGS vi. 21.

THESE words are connected with a portion of ancient history, that presents features of extraordinary interest, and affords a lesson replete with delightful instruction. It will, therefore, be useful to trace its noble incidents, and observe carefully its important results.

It appears that war was raging between Israel and Syria. In the prosecution of this war, the Syrian king devised various schemes to destroy his foes by surprise. But no sooner were his plans formed, than they were communicated to Jehoram, the King of Israel, who thereby es

caped destruction. The King of Syria becam angry, because his intentions were thus fru trated. Suspecting treachery, he inquired of hi servants, who among them had aided the cause his enemy. One of them answered, "None, m Lord, O King! but Elisha, the prophet that in Israel, telleth the King of Israel the words tha thou speakest in thy bed-chamber. (verse 12.)

His next place was to remove Elisha out of h way. Having ascertained that the prophet wa in Dotham, the King of Syria sent there a stron force, which availed itself of the darkness of th night, to surround the city. In the morning when the servant of the prophet went forth, an beheld the array of the enemy, he was filled wit fear, and said, "Alas, my master, how shall w do?" (verse 15.) The answer was, " Fear not for they that be with us, are more than they tha be with them." (verse 16.) The servant soo became satisfied of this fact, because, in accor ance with the prayer of the prophet, his spiritua eyes were opened, and he saw, as it were, mountain full of horses, and chariots of fire, rep resenting the invisible forces of God, which hel Elisha in their protection.

ria becam

thus frus

ired of his

he cause

None, my et that

vords the

se 12.)

out of his

phet was

e a strong ss of the morning

porth, and led with

shall we ear not: hey that

nt soon accord

piritual

vere, a

re, rep

h held

The man of God then prayed, that the Syrian

host might be smitten with blindness. It was done. Elisha then went to them, and without their knowing him, led them into Samaria, under the delusion, that they would there find the man whom they sought. On arriving in the city, their sight was restored to them. They at once discovered their helplessness, surrounded, as they were, by an irresistible force. On seeing his enemies, they who had stood in array against his dominions, so completely in his power, the King of Israel said to the prophet, "My Father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?" How perfectly this repeated question harmonizes with the violent passions excited by war-furies! How exactly it coincides with the voices that speak from the iron lips of force and revenge! These Syrians were the enemies of Israel. They were now completely in the king's power. His troops were at hand, and, by his order, they would at once slaughter the helpless Syrians, who could then give him no more trouble. In what manner could he more readily relieve himself of their fierce enmity? It is true, that it would be a work of cruelty that it would make Syria trem

ble with the wail of anguish, which would bu from the hearts of its widows and orphans; th

out of the blood thus shed, fiercer, and mo unrelenting foes, might arise, to exact from h a terrible retribution for his revenge. But y these Syrians were in his power, and why smite them?

What answer gave the prophet to the kin repeated question? It is a remarkable answ worthy of profound regard, and comes to us fr that old time, sweeping through the terrible to pests of human passions, like an angelic so becoming the "still, small voice" of God an the storm, the fire, and the earthquake. Turni to the king, he said, "Thou shalt not smite the Would'st thou smite those whom thou hast tal captive with thy sword, and with thy bow? bread and water before them, that they may and drink, and go to their master." (verse 2 This must have been a new mode to the warri king, of treating his enemies. Did the worl wisdom, of which we hear so much in our d suggest the idea to him, that if, instead of cru ing his foes, he should obey the prophet, a treat them kindly, they would lose all the g