of Christ; and, as a matter of fact, there is not a Church in Christendom which in some mode or other does not observe them both. Now in the study of this fact we must remember, as I said at the outset, that they are not like solid marbles set up by some great men, and so remaining as national monuments; but they consist in very insignificant actions, and their existence depends on their being observed by millions of insignificant individuals. They are preserved, not by state authority or church councils, but by the loving hearts of millions of scattered individuals, who, though it may be in much confusion, desire to act on the bidding of their Lord. Thus they become exceedingly like the rainbow spanning the heaven. That beautiful bow, the token of the covenant, is formed by the reflection of the sun from unnumbered millions of minute drops of falling rain. Each drop is in itself a mere speck, a nothing, falling rapidly, but shining as it falls; and all these millions of falling drops combine to form the one beautiful arch, which remains perfectly still, and bridges the interval between earth and heaven. So these two Sacraments are maintained throughout the world by the faith and piety of millions of insignificant and short-lived individuals, each one undesignedly fulfilling his own little part; while the grand combination of all these millions of little individualities maintains in all places and in all ages the twofold token of the everlasting covenant of God. (II.) Thus far I have spoken simply of facts, of facts open to the observation of all men, and, as far as I know, denied by none. I cannot imagine that even an infidel would deny any of them. I may proceed then to my next question: _When and how did these two Sacraments acquire this position_? As a matter of fact they are observed throughout Christendom; when then were they introduced, and how did this observance begin? To this question our answer is simple; for we believe that they were ordained by Christ Himself, the one as His last act before His crucifixion, and the other before His ascension. To us therefore who receive the Scriptures the whole thing is perfectly clear, and the fact is explained by the principle that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ must receive, in obedience to His will, the two Sacraments which He Himself ordained.