he human race as the objects of the harvest and vintage,
admits no augmentation of terror. "And I looked, and behold a white
cloud, and upon the cloud one sat, like unto the Son of Man, having on
his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another
angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice, to him that
sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap: For the time is come
for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that
sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was
reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven,
he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the
altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him
that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and
gather the clutters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are
fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press
of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden without the city;
and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horses bridles,
by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." *

* Revelation xiv. 14-22.

The scenes here depicted are yet future. They are confirmed, and in
some measure illustrated by other prophecies; but as our understanding
of prophecies must remain partial till explained by their
accomplishment, we leave the intelligent reader to his own reflections
upon them.

INFERENCES.

I. That communities, both small and great are on trial here, and that
they are eventually called into judgment and rewarded and punished
according to their use, or abuse of talents, is fairly deducible from
the subject under consideration. Such being the divine administration,
we see the importance of national virtue. Morals are the health and
strength of a community: While they remain no enemy can prevail
against it. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear him, and delivereth them"--But when a community degenerates, and
become corrupt and vicious, their guardian angel quits his
charge, and their guardian God becomes the avenger of their crimes.

II. We see also the importance of good government, and good rulers,
who will execute righteous laws with fidelity, and in their own
persons, set the example of obedience to them. The example of those in
authority hath a commanding influence. Their princip