change; and the position of the terraqueous globe in the starry heavens remained unaltered.

The next verse contains a curious and important statement (verse 15):'And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.' It is well known that all ancient edifices of symmetrical form were regulated in their construction by a certain model, which constituted the unit of measurement, and determined all the proportions of the different parts. It is therefore highly probable that this great city was apparently constructed on this plan, and that the golden reed which the angel held in his hand was the model or unit of measurement, which regulated all the dimensions and proportions, every part measured by the angel being an exact number of models. This probability is strengthened by the statement that the angel had the reed for the express purpose of showing the apostle the precise dimensions of the city and its wall. We accordingly learn from the sequel that the angel actually proceeded to measure, with this reed, the various parts of the city before the apostle, who thus acquired a distinct knowledge of their several dimensions. These being recorded by him in stadia, or furlongs, and cubits, it is plain that the angel must in the first instance have shown him in some manner the exact length of the reed which he employed as a standard. Now St. John states with great precision that the cubit of which he speaks in this admeasurement was according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.' It is therefore highly probable that the angel showed him the length of the reed according to his own cubit; that is, the distance from his elbow-joint to the point of his middle finger, and that the reed was either one or a certain definite number

6

of those cubits. The latter is the more probable supposition, for the dimensions to be ascertained were so great,

that a reed of only one cubit would have been a very inadequate instrument for the admeasurement.

Now, as the ruling number in all the dimensions is 12, there is a strong probability that the length of the reed was 12 cubits, or about 18 feet. This length may accordingly be assumed in the meantime, leaving the probability to acquire strength from what follows.

In the next verse the apostle describes the actual measurement of the city by the angel. (Verse 16): ‘And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs; the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.' The first point for consideration here is the length of the standard-the furlong or stadium. The relation between the ancient stadium and the cubit varied considerably in different places; but from the circumstance that the reed of the angel was used to determine both cubits and stadia, it appears highly probable that, while the reed was an exact number of cubits, the stadium was an exact number of reeds or models. Now the nearest approach to the general length of the stadium would be 36 models, or 432 cubits; and this number has the advantage of involving, as a multiple, the number 12, which is evidently the ruling number of all the dimensions. The length and breadth of the city, being 12,000 stadia, would be 432,000 models, or exactly one thousand times the relation of the cubit to the stadium. This length is about 1,472 miles. These dimensions, more especially when applied to the height, at once exclude the idea that this was a real city.

The next question that presents itself for consideration is, What was the actual form of the city, as here described? At first sight it would appear to be a perfect cube; but a little reflection will show that this conclusion must be erroneous. A perfect cube 1,472 miles high

could not have the least approach to the appearance of a city. We are presently informed that the wall, although previously described as great and high, was only 144 cubits in height-a dimension altogether insignificant compared with the height of the city itself.

corner.

Now, had the city been a perfect cube, this wall of 144 cubits could not have been distinguished from the general mass. We are thus forced to the conclusion that the form of the city was, not the cube, but the pyramid with a square base-a figure which would admit of a perpendicular wall being clearly distinguishable. This figure would present the appearance of a city set upon a hill; and it will be remembered that this is a metaphor which our Saviour Himself applied to His church: Ye are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.' There is another reason for preferring the pyramid to the cube. Our Saviour is called the chief corner-stone of the great building, and also the chief or head of the Now it is only in the pyramid that there is one chief corner-stone, forming the apex of the figure. The cube has four upper corners; nor is there in a cubical building any one stone which could be called 'chief of the corner.' The cube, moreover although a perfect geometrical figure, may yet be increased in height, with no other effect than its conversion into a six-sided prism; but the pyramid, once completed, by having placed on it the apex or chief corner-stone, cannot receive any further additions; it is then a perfect figure, which cannot be either added to, or taken from, without destruction to its symmetry. It is hence by much the more fitting emblem for the redeemed church which, in the future state, will be complete in all its members, and be crowned by the presence of its Great Head. After that consummation, no member can either be added to it or taken from it; it must remain fixed in its components and constitution

for ever. In the sequel, moreover, it will be found that the pyramid offers several other advantages over the cube, in explaining the general description of the city; but enough has been said in the meantime to entitle the pyramid to the preference as a first assumption.

This

Nor must we lose sight of the idea of the city's being built on a hill, as suggested by the words of our Saviour. It would be an incongruous notion to suppose a pyramid, in its solidity, to represent a city; for a solid pyramid would have as little resemblance to a city as would a solid cube. But we are to regard the great bulk of the pyramid as being the hill on which the city standsincrusting as it were the whole of its surface. appearance would be presented were the city composed of one continuous street, or rather row of buildings, winding down the four sides of the pyramid, by a very gentle slope, from its apex to its base; so that the buildings would have the appearance of being erected in terraces one over another. This is the only idea of its construction that will tally with the rest of the description, as given in the sequel of the narrative; and it may therefore be well at once to fix this conception in our minds.

CHAPTER VII.

MEANING OF THE MEASUREMENT.

WITH respect to the measurement of the city, which the angel made before the apostle, this proceeding must evidently have had some significant design. The pyramidal form of the city was an emblem of the perfection and completeness of the redeemed church; but it was further necessary to convey to the mind of the apostle some idea of the vast magnitude of the ingathered multitude, of whom this church was composed; and the most natural mode of doing so was to point out to him, in a clear manner, the vast dimensions of the city, symbolizing that multitude. On a former occasion, the redeemed church had been presented to his eye as a great multitude which no man could number,' and the enormous dimensions assigned to the city point to the same conclusion.

It has been shown that the city probably occupied only the surface of the pyramidal mountain on which it appeared to be built; consequently, in his measurement, the angel might be expected to give such elements as would enable the apostle easily to determine the superficial extent of the pyramid, and hence the area of the city. The angel therefore gives him the length of the side of the square base, and the height of the pyramid; but it is probable that, in exhibiting this latter dimension, he applied his reed to the centre of the sloping side of the figure; for is would be difficult, by means of a reed, to give a correct