OLD TESTAMENT UNIVERSALISM.

Many people suppose that the Old Testament promises and hopes, are exclusive, and addressed to the Jews alone. But this is a sad mistake. We will call an inspired witness to give us the true meaning of the Old Testament Scripture-and it shall be the apostle Peter. This apostle in one of the very earliest of his addresses, Acts 3: 21, takes occasion to explain the real purpose of God in Jesus Christ. There is to come, finally, a time of universal restoration, restitution of all things." He adds the significant words that God has promised this "by the mouth of all His holy Prophets since the world. began;" and therefore we who teach this hope are but following in the steps of all God's holy Prophets. Thus St. Peter would have us go to the Old Testament, and weave, as it were, its varied predictions into one concordant whole: gather its sacred promises till they, with one voice, proclaim the restitution of all things.

And this intimation is a worldwide blessing, as has been often pointed out, grows more frequent as the stream of revelation flows on. We find that in the law, the psalms, and the prophets, are traces, clear and distinct of universal blessing of hope for all. Thus of the teaching

of the law a fundamental part rested on the institutions of the "first fruits," and the "first born." Elsewhere in this volume has been pointed out the extreme significance of this as bearing on the larger hope, and as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. For the "first fruit" pledge the entire harvest ("if the first fruit be holy the lump is also holy"--Romans 11: 16), and the "first born" include the entire family, and not a part merely. But Christ is the "first born," the "first frits," and thus sums up in himself, not a part of the race, but the entire race. In other words, Christ as the "first born," stands pledged to see every son of Adam's race; as the "first fruits," to save the entire harvest. So are his elect said to be “a kind of first fruits”” and the "first born" (" Israel is my son, even my first born""); and therefore in their salvation is renewed pledge of the salvation of the entire human race, without any exception; thus, too, light falls on the true meaning of the Divine election as carrying with it a pledge of universal salvation.

"The Psalms again are full of the largest and happiest forecasts. When they speak of the coming Messiah, they are at the farthest from claiming the blessings of His reign exclusively for themselves; on the contrary, they say, 'His name shall endure forever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call Him blessed' They constantly breathe forth the invitation, ‘O praise the Lord all ye nations; praise Him all ye people.' Salvitor Mundi, p, 178. Let me further instance such words as these, "unto Thee shall all flesh come." Other examples of the same address to all nations--to all peoples-bidding them join in God's praise, and

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surely anticipating that they would one day do so, are frequent in the Psalms.

To show how deeply this idea is embedded in the Psalms, let me add a few more passages. "All nations

shall do Him service." Ps. 72: 11. "Thou shalt inherit all the nations." Ps. 82: 8. "All nations shall come and worship Thee." Ps. 86: 9. “All the earth shall worship Thee." Ps. 66: 4. 66 Sing unto the Lord all the rhole earth." Ps. 96: 1. "All the earth shall be filled with his majesty." Ps. 72: 19. "Let all flesh give thanks unto His holy name forever and ever." Ps. 145: 21. Lastly, take these words, "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee." Ps. 22: 27.

PERSEVERING LOVE.

I shall never forget a certain exhibition I once attended. Shortly after schools for the imbecile were commenced in Europe, a young man, moved with benevolence, crossed the ocean to examine their mode of operation and success. Assured of their utility, he returned to this country and commenced a similar institution. He advertised for the most idiotic and helpless children that could be found. Among those brought him was a little boy, five years of age, who had never made an intentional act, had never spoken a word, and had never given any look of recog nition to a friend. He lay on the floor, a mass of flesh, without even ability to turn himself over. Such was the student brought to this school. The teacher made effort after effort to get the slightest recognition from his eye, or to produce the slightest voluntary movement, but in vain. Unwilling, however, to yield, he had

the boy brought to his own room, and he lay down beside him every day for a half-hour, hoping that some favorable indication might occur. To improve the time, he read aloud from some author.

One day at the end of six months of unavailing effort, he was unusually weary and did not read. He soon discovered that the child was uneasy and was trying to move itself a little. The thought flashed across his mind, "It misses the sound of my voice." He brought his mouth near the child's hands, and after repeated efforts, the little one succeeded in placing his fingers on the teacher's lips, as if to say, "Make that sound again." The teacher felt from that moment his success was assured, and, by careful manipulation of his muscles, he soon taught the child to walk; and when I saw him, at the end of five years, he stood on the platform, recited the names of the Presidents of the United States and answered a number of questions correctly.

I looked on with astonishment, and said to myself: "Was there ever such patience and such devotion? How strong should be the love of that little boy for his teacher. Was there ever an instance of one stooping so low and waiting so long?" Then I said, "Yes, there was one instance: the Son of God came down from heaven, laid himself down beside me, his great heart by my heart, watched me with perpetual care, infused into me his own life, and waited for nearly twenty years before I reached my finger to his lips and said, 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.'

These are BISHOP SIMPSON's words, and is it possible that such persevering love for us can fail in its work? Or that it will be satisfied with failure? No-a thousand times no.

Every winter, during the holidays, he made it a point to invite all those in his employ who resided in Uto take tea and spend an evening with him. All who had families were expected to bring their wives and children with them.

He came into the shop one morning and extended the invitation. After he left, Thomas King, who had been only a short time in his employ said to George Atkinson,

"Are you going to the old boss' party?"

"Of course I shall."

"Do they have a good time there?"

First rate. You must be sure and go, and take your wife and babies too."

The

"I don't know about that. old boss came along the other day, just after I had taken some bitters, and I suppose he smelt my breath, for he said, King, you must look out, or you will not get that moulding right.' He added, Be careful never to take anything inside which will prevent your making a straight edge.""

"Pshaw! King," said Atkinson, "I would not stay away on that account. He cuts rather hard sometimes, but he is a good man to work for."

"True enough he is," said King;

"but then you know a fellow does not like to be rasped off in that way. He is a strong teetotaler; but for my part, I think he carries matters too far. I believe in temperance as firmly as any man; but when I go home at night, I like a drop before I have my supper. I want a little, also, in the morning, and again about eleven o'clock. I never mean to be the worse for liquor.”

Atkinson replied, "I hope you will not drink any on the day of the party, because, if he should smell your breath, he might give you a lecture on the spot. You will have fine oysters and as good tea and coffee as can be made, and you will enjoy yourself very much. I have worked for the old boss now going on for seven years, and I always look forward to the tea-party ward to the tea-party with great interest. My wife and children also consider it the greatest day of the year. I really believe they would rather miss going home to Thanksgiving, than to miss the old boss's party."

The day at length arrived. Not only the carpenters, but all in his employ were there, and all dressed in their best. They brought their wives and children. The spacious parlors were thrown open, and were well filled with the guests. Thomas King had concluded to be present. Robert O'Neill and Bridget his wife, were also there. He was not a carpenter, but was one of Mr. Jenkin's hired men. He had on a black broadcloth coat, which had been purchased at a second-hand clothing store, and Bridget had tried her best to dress herself in fashion.

They acted as though they had never before seen such splendor. The house did indeed present a strong contrast to the home they had lived in in the old country, and, indeed, to the garret which furnished