In the midst of the gloom which is fast settling upon Christendom, and the rapid development of the apostasy foretold in Scripture, rays of light still flash here and there; for, thank God, the Holy Ghost is still here, hindering, through the testimony of those in whom He dwells, the full ripening of " the mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2).

One marks with joy every struggle against the encroachments of the enemies of Christ-and of man; for if man had ever a friend, it is Christ. Whoever, therefore, opposes Christ, is an enemy of man-of his present and eternal good.

One instance of this comes up through a Prof. Workman, who occupied a chair in the Methodist Theological College of Montreal. He has been dismissed because of his " Higher Criticism." There are yet men, it seems, connected with that institution who value Christ and our inheritance in Him. God bless them, and their faithfulness. In their investigations they have had to meet the slippery character of these destroyers of Christianity, who, while they undermine with an energy worthy of a better cause all the foundations of the faith, would still pretend to be its friends. See an example of it in this Prof. Workman. He is indignant at being accused of denying the Atonement. He does believe in it, he declares. But what is atonement, with him ? Why, every one of us, he says, makes atonement as well as Christ; for do we not all suffer, more or less, from the sins of others ? Now multitudes may not be able to discern the Satanic craft of this, but Prof. Workman knows well that atonement, as taught in Scripture, and as believed by Christians, means the putting away of our sins from before God by the sufferings of Christ on the cross for us; whilst no amount of our suffering for the sins of others can effect this. The sufferings even of Christ from the sins of men during His daily ministry wrought no atonement, for they were inflicted only by man. They in nowise hindered His intercourse with His Father. It was on the cross, under the judgment of God which made Him cry out, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" that alone atonement was made-and made, thank God, "once for all."

Another instance comes up from New York, where marked opposition is reported as being made to the Rev. Dr. R. S. McArthur by his congregation. He advocates the elimination of all reference to Christ and Christianity in the public schools. Some of his views, thus being opposed, are reported as follows:" I would favor a book made up of selections from the Bible, to be chosen by a committee consisting of Christians, Jews, and even atheists. I would also include extracts from the Koran, from Buddhistic writings, or any book of great religious creeds. These selections should teach moral truths, and should be read in the public schools instead of the Bible."

Thus is the Bible being treated by one who, above others, should set it up on high. Can it be to such a one the revelation of God to man ? Can Jesus be to him " the true God, and eternal life" ? Can he know that every blessing man enjoys, whether physical, moral, or spiritual, comes from His hand-the hand of Jesus Christ; of whom it is written, " Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever " ? (Heb. i:8.) If so, how can he advocate the thrusting Him out of the public schools, or of any other public or private place ? Dr. McArthur's servants might as well say to him, " We give you permission, sir, to go into the study, but not into the parlor of your house:you may pray and read the Bible there, but not in your dining-room." May the Spirit of God, whose great work is to uphold the interests of Christ here, give courage to the opposers of Dr. McArthur's principles, and of all who seek to blot out the mention of Christ's name from the land.

Again, an immense meeting took place in Brooklyn lately to oppose these Jewish-infidel attacks against the institutions of the land, and stirring words were uttered by the friends of our Lord. They may not be heeded. " The prince of this world" has the upper hand during this day of God's grace, and Christians must possess their souls in patience. But man's day is fast ebbing away, and the day of Christ is dawning. Then " the Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity ; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire :there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13 :41-43).