The Ancient Banner. Unknown

deep corruption, that had overspread

      Professing Christendom. And one by one,

      The doctrines of the Gospel, were unveiled,

      To the attentive student,—doctrines, which,

      Though clearly written on the sacred page,

      Had long been hidden, by the rubbish man's

      Perversions and inventions heaped thereon.

      He saw that colleges, could not confer,

      A saving knowledge of the way of Truth,

      Nor qualify a minister to preach

      The everlasting Gospel; but that Christ,

      Is the true Teacher, and that he alone

      Has power to call, anoint, and qualify,

      And send a Gospel minister to preach

      Glad tidings of salvation. He was shown,

      No outward building, made of wood and stone

      Could be a holy place,—and that the Church—

      The only true and living Church—must be

      A holy people gathered to the Lord,

      And to his teaching. He was clearly taught,

      The nature of baptism, by which souls

      Are purified and fitted for this Church;

      That this was not, by being dipped into,

      Or sprinkled with clear water, but it was

      The one baptism of the Holy Ghost.

      He saw the Supper was no outward food,

      Made and administered by human hands,—

      But the Lord's Table was within the heart;

      Where in communion with him, holy bread

      Was blessed and broken, and the heavenly wine,

      Which cheers the fainting spirit, handed forth.

      The Saviour showed him that all outward wars,

      Are now forbidden,—that the warfare here,

      Is to be waged within. Its weapons too,

      Though mighty, even to the pulling down,

      Of the strong holds of Satan, are yet all

      The Spirit's weapons. He was shown, that oaths

      Judicial or profane, are banished from

      The Christian dispensation, which commands,

      "Swear not at all." He saw the compliments,—

      Hat honour, and lip service of the world,

      Sprang from pride's evil root, and were opposed