came, it buried all in death but those in the ark. When death comes to you, if out of Christ, it will sink you to unutterable woe; but if in Christ, its waters will only raise you above earth, and set your soul down on the better than Ararat-Mount Zion on high. I hope I number amongst my readers some true believers, to whom to die will be eternal gain, and who have cause to join the following melodious notes, and sing: "A few more years shall roll, A few more seasons come, And we shall be with those that rest, A few more storms shall beat And we shall be where tempests cease, A few more struggles here, A few more toils, a few more tears, 'Tis but a little while, And He shall come again, Who died that we might live, who lives That we with Him may reign. Then, gracious Lord, prepare IT is hope that sets all the world a work; if all hope were cut off, every soul would sit down in a sullen despair, yielding itself for hell.-Flavel. SOME REMARKS ON THE WORSHIP OF THE GOLDEN CALF. See Bible Picture, page 178. In the Israelites' worship of the golden calf we have an instance of the proneness of the human heart to possess some visible object of adoration. The worship of images is repugnant to the spiritual mind; but the Israelites had been so familiarized with the honour paid to the sacred animals of Egypt, that they found nothing incongruous in accepting a calf as a representation of Jehovah. Doubtless they retained some recollection of the Egyptian apis, the sacred bull. But a short time back they heard, with fear and trembling, amid the thunders of Sinai, the commandment which expressly forbade the making of any graven image, and now they worship a golden calf with various heathen ceremonies, which they must know were most repugnant to that high and holy God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. How Aaron could assist in the formation of the image seems incredible. Probably, as some suppose, he demanded the personal ornaments of the people in the belief that they would not part with them, thinking it inexpedient to deny their request at once. If so, he was punished for his pusillanimity by the readiness with which they gave them up. How many in our days are in like manner tempted to make concessions which only tend to increase the evil they might put down by boldly maintaining the right. Moses did this, and, though but one man against multitudes, none ventured to oppose him. That the Israelites regarded their image as an emblem of Jehovah and not as another God, is possible from Exod. xxxii. 5, where we read of Aaron's proclamation for "a feast unto the Lord.” They did not probably make it a substitute for God, but a representation of Deity; their sin consisted in breaking not the first commandment, but the second: they put no other god before Jehovah, but they made a graven image. The question may be asked, "Was this idolatry?" The Scriptures are plain upon this point; the sin was punished as idolatry, and the people are called idolaters in 1 Cor. x. 7, a verse referring to this very act. How then can any one maintain that the use of images, pictures, &c., as aids to devotion is allowable? Those who say so justify the Israelites in their worship of the golden calf, a sin for which they were severely punished. Romanists say they do not worship the images themselves, but God through them; just what the Israelites did in this instance, and were condemned for their idolatry. The use of images or representations of any kind is most unscriptural, and is idolatry, disguise it as they may. And in these days of reviving Romanism, when attempts are being made to introduce many Romish practices on the pretence that they have a holy signification, would it not be well to ponder whether we are not approaching the heinous offence of idolatry? It must have something to do with it when so many who begin with the attractions of ritualism, finish by joining the Romish Church. It is a fact, too, that spiritual life is declining when material things are unduly exalted, as was the case in the early ages of Christianity, when sacerdotalism took its rise. The carnal mind wants something that appeals to the senses to rouse it to any interest in the things of God; but the spiritual mind, on the contrary, dreads such helps lest it should mistake the excitement arising therefrom for the workings of the Spirit, and so be deceived not only for this world but for that which is to come. LILIAN ELSIE. THE folly of Israel was sad to behold, As they triumphed and danced to a calf made of gold, Which Aaron the priest extolled very high, While the people, all earnest to follow his word, But He who the universe always surveys one." wrath may wax hot and consume every But Moses, a type of the meek Lamb of God, While "the guilty by no means His justice will clear." Now from this account a lesson we'll take, Which shows if we're left what idols we make; To seek other sources of comfort are bent. With the weapon of prayer, and the tempter will flee. He roars like a lion, but ne'er shall devour The soul that Jehovah preserves from his power; And, though He correct us for follies we've done, In humble contrition our follies confess And, as He heard Moses for Israel of old, A penitent, com ing with filial fear; And, though not a word with our lips we can say, By a sigh or a groan we inwardly pray, And our humble petitions through Jesus ascend, Who liveth for ever and ever our Friend, |