November Twenty-sixth.
THE PERFECTION OF THE LAW OF THE LORD.
"The law [or doctrine] of the Lord is perfect, converting [or restoring] the soul."—Psalm xix. 7.
THE Sun of Righteousness arose on the world with healing in His wings; and even in the most corrupted state into which Christianity has fallen, the institutions of mercy which are to be seen everywhere, shew the impression of its character and the residue of its spirit. The righteousness of the Lord's testimonies is everlasting.
It was the vain boast of the Medes and Persians that their laws were unalterable; but they have long since passed away, as well as the thrones from which they emanated. But vicissitudes do not change the laws or doctrines of the Lord's will, or modify or set aside the standard of excellence which He has framed, because "the doctrine of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul." The experience of all ages testifies to the fact, that no codes of jurisprudence which man, with his utmost wisdom, could devise, had sufficient power to convert or restore and purify the soul. Their influence, at the best, could only restrain from the commission of crime; even that exalted class of morals propounded by the wisest heathen philosophers appealed only to the natural feelings, and endeavoured to shew that, by external virtues, we ministered to our own happiness, and that, from motives of self-love, we should be assiduous in their exercise. Of the hidden sources of evil in the recesses of the soul they took no cognizance, and of its regeneration they had no
