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6 THE PRESBYTERIA seven churches,-^-of the whole Church of God,?in all the ages. In what aspect did Christ reveal himself? "Clothed with a garment." Garments are the symbol of redemption. In Isaiah 61: 10 we find the Redeemer saying. "I clothed me with salvation." "White hair" points to his eternity, and "eyes as a flame of fire" suggests his dtnniscience. The position of the sharp sword in "his mouth" rather than in his hand, points to the character of his reign, which is not by physical force, but by the conviction which follows prcachimr. * O " Yet the stars in his right hand point to unquestioned and controlling influence in all the affairs of the world. In the symbolism of Scripture "star" has always indicated authority and influence. In the prophecy of Balaam we read, "There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel. . . Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion." In his "Spiritual Kingdom" Dr. Ramsey expresses the thought in these words: "These angel stars most ner iectly symbolize the spiritual authority constituted by Christ himself in every one of his churches. Used as a symbol, stars represent the function of ruling, and rulers. This rests upon a manifest analogy. The stars belong to a sphere above us; they give light, and their light and movement are not controlled by earthly things, but earthly things have always been regarded as controlled by them. They thus aptly represent that lawful authority which is from above." To John, therefore, in his trouble the Redeemer represents himself as human, touched with the feeling of our infirmities; divine, and able to succor; clothed, with redemption; eternal and unchangeable in his love for us; omniscient, so that nothing ^r. --- >.?m iiajjjjk.il IU US without his knowledge;" with all authority as represented by the stars, and with the convincing efficacy of the sword of his mouth, the Gospel. But more than this. To John, the sufferer, Christ says in this chapter, "I am the first and the last and the Living One" (R. V.), the Creator of all things, and the source of spiritual life. There is no power that can hinder me. And further, "I became dead," on Calvary, "and lo I am alive forevermore," I have triumphed over Satan, and have "the keys of death and of hell" so that no evil can occur without my permission. If the hook of Revelation had stopped at this point, it would be a book of precious comfort to the troubled Christian. Seeing that we have such a Redfemer as this, sitting at the ritrht hand nf FntiiPr -- . C ? ?v. * -w.w, ?*?_ ill ay well have confidence that all things are working for good to them that love God. But other words of precious comfort are to follow. It is well for us to do all we can to induce men to devise for themselves their method and work. Origination is a stimulus with which nothing else can compare. It gives both inspiration in effort and joy in execution and results. A recent writer expresses it well when he speaks of such workers as "discoverers of opportunity," and regards the joy of such discovery as one of God's wisest provisions for keeping us alive to the constant presence of opportunities. N OF THE SOUTH. March 31, 1909. TRACT BY DR. HOWARD KELLY. Recently the Professor of Chemistry in the Virginia Medical College at Richmond delivered an address before the students in which he expressed views so antagonistic to the Christian faith and indeed to any reverent theistic beliefs, as to cause widespread comment and protest. A synopsis of this address was pubdished in certain secular papers, and as a fitting reply one of our ruling elders has had published a tract containing a reprint of an article by Dr. Howard Kelly, of Baltimore, which was originally published in Appleton's Magazine. Our committee of publication is now prepared to furnish this tract, without charge, to those applying. It would be appropHate to inclose a two cent stamp in making written application for this tract. The Presbyterian Ministers' Association of Richmond has requested, through Mr. S. H. Hawes, that this tract be published in the city papers. As to Dr. Kelly's qualifications for writing the article, the editor of Appleton's says: "Entirely aside from its intrinsic merit, the association of subject and author makes, the article of uncom mon and noteworthy interest. Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly, of Baltimore, holds a position almost unique in his profession. With academic, professional, and honorary degrees from the Universities of Pennsylvania, Washington and Lee, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, his rank as a scholar is clearly recognized. For some twenty years professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins University, his place as a worker and teacher in the applied science of his profession has been beyond question the highest in America and Europe. At least a dozen learned societies in England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria. France, and the United States have welcomed him to membership as a master in his specialty in surgery. Finally, his published work<4 1mvf? ranspit liim +/-? 4- -* . v. *!! IV L/V 1 VVIWIIVU lliC I11UM CIlIl" ncnt of all authorities in his own field. Equally energetic and effective in another direction, Dr. Kelly has been a leader in church and Sunday school work." A pastor of a great church, a man who is no pessimist but a hard worker and possessed of all the hopefulness that .comes from activity and faitfi, uses these fine words in writing a personal letter to one of the editors: "I am perhaps one of the now smaller class; for while men are so largely agitating the question of reconstruction in theology I am only a simple minister preaching the revelation of God Almighty, in which I see no room and need of change. It is the old Book, and it seems to suit all human needs." Noble words those, and fitting in right well with what one would expect of the experience of bringing the word of God to bear upon souls rather than studying the word for scholastic purposes and to practice upon it literary, clinics. 'Hie working pastor is nevef an advanced critic. He is too much in contact with the conditions and needs of the human heart and too familiar with the blessed relation of God's truth to that heart to allow himself to be.drawn off into pedantic and scientific cutting out of the heart of the gfospel.