1st. THE GOSPEL.

2d. THE BOOK OF CONVERSIONS.

3d. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE.

4th. THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS.

We hope the kind reader will not conclude that, our divisions are novel or unmeaning. A little patience in examining the volume, will enable the inquirer to see that, these have been made by the sacred writers themselves, and, moreover, that the very matter, and subjects, not only suggest, but demand them. We will examine these heads in order.

I. THE GOSPEL.

Superficial readers, who expect to find the Gospel of Christ scattered promiscuously through the whole of the Bible, will not be likely to find it anywhere. Christian people regard all the Bible as the word of God, but all the word of God, is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who was not born till the year 4004. The history of the flood, for instance, in the days of good Noah, though true, contains not the Gospel; neither do we find it in the Law, the Prophets, or

Psalms in detail. To be sure, reference was made by divers Old Testament writers, to things which were to occur and which have since taken place, and which, by the New Testament writers, were called Gospel. On this point the apostle Paul informs us that, "Unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Heb. iv, 2.

This translation does not give the apostle's meaning with sufficient fairness. In the original, there is no article in connection with the word Gospel, and the following is the literal reading. "For unto us were glad tidings preached, as well as to them." Again Peter tells us, (1 Peter iv, 6); “Good news,”-not," the Gospel," as in our version was preached to the dead, that is, to the antediluvians who are now dead; but this 'good news,' doubtless, reached them through the preaching of righteous Noah, before their death.

To the Galatians, Paul says: "The Scriptures foreseeing that God would justify the

heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel (literally translated Gospel) unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations. be blessed." Gal. iii, 8. With these Scriptures before us, it is quite apparent, that the promise to Abraham of a coming Saviour was denominated good news, glad tidings, concerning a Deliverer-Gospel. The student of the Bible will also discover, that this was a prospective Gospel, or a Gospel only in promise. Scores of the faithful, from the time the promise of the Messiah was made to Abraham, anxiously looked for an illustrious person to appear, as a king and preserver of the nation. The announcement that such an one would come, was styled, Gospel, or glad tidings to be realized in the future. The whole thought is beautifully expressed by Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews. In speaking of the faithful of old, he said: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded by them, and embraced them, and confessed that, they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Heb. xi, 13.

We see then, in what sense the Gospel was preached to the people before the birth of Christ, and we are now fully prepared to connect all the facts of the Gospel of our salvation, with Him, who "came down. from heaven not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent Him.'

It may be proper to add that, the whole Gospel in all its facts and practical bearings, was not, and could not be preached, till after the resurrection of our Lord from the dead; and, indeed, till after the ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

The word Gospel implies glad tidings, good news; as appears from the announcement of the angel to the shepherd, who were vigilantly watching their flocks on the Judean hills, the night in which the Saviour was born. "The angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Luke ii, 11, 12.

This Gospel is construed by many learned men, to mean, God's spell, means or power, to bring the erring back to their Father's house; but the apostle gives concisely the facts of the Gospel to the Corinthians. He says: "Moreover, brethren, I declared unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also, you have received, and wherein you stand.

'By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I also received; how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. xv, 1-4.

Whoever reads to profit, will readily discover that, the Gospel which he preached and in which the Corinthians "stood," and by which they "were saved," contained three very clear and distinct items:

1st. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."