Second advent library

8th verse,ca|us'r's szconn comms. 135"And unto the angel of the church inSmyrna., write." The signification of the wordismyrrh; denoting S15/1-na,that the church in this age wo d beasweet-smelling savor to God, while she waspassingthrough the fiery ordeal of persecution and affliction,which always has served to weed out those obnoxiousplants of pride, popularity, self-dependence -the baneand poison of true faith, piety, and devotion. And O,my brethren, could we leam wisdom, by what the churchhas already suH'ered in the days of our forefathers, weshould he more humble, the moreworldly peace andprosperity we enjoyed. For it is only in the midst ofpersecution and trial, that the church manifest great purityof doctrine or lite. How well, then, might this ageof the church be compared to when she musthave been separated from worldlymgérrh,onors, avarice, pride,popularity, and hypocrisy, when the and world-'ng had no motives to unite with anhypocrite destroy the unionof the brotherhood, and when the hirelingshe herd couldexpect no fleece, that would suit hiscupiditty,to iilchfrom the lambs of Christ! "These things sai the hrstand me lm, which was dead and is ahve." In thesewords we leam the character speaking to the church.It is no less than the mighty God, theeverlasting Father,the Prince of Peace. "I know an tribnlation,thysworks, and poverty." Now, their wor were about tobe tried; although God knew them that were his, yet hedesignedto manifest to a world who would be faithfuleven unto death, and to show that pure and undefiled religionwould burn with a brighter dame in tribulationand poverty, and the richness of that faith, which wouldhri off the true Christian conqueror over the powersof [Ee world, the temptations of Satan, and corruptionsof the flesh. "But thou art rich." Yes, brethren, thetmomnd genuine Christian is rich. For cancharity suf~krflmg in tribulation, and the spirit of Christ will makeus forsake all for his sake, and endure poverty for thelllll ofJesus."And I know," sa s Christ, "the blasph'q||yofthem which say they are dews, (that is, peopleof God,) and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."Although Christ knew the hypocrites and false profes-,