"'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'
"'And let all the angels of God worship him.'
"These two natures, that of the Son of God, and that of the son of man," added Mr. Dermott, "he unites in the office of the only Redeemer of God's elect. These will continue forever."
"I will illustrate some of these sentiments by another parable. We will suppose, then, that upon a sea-girt isle, there once reigned a great and good king, who had one only and dearly beloved son, the heir to his kingdom and great revenues. The son was associated with his father in every act for the good of the empire, and the most tender, confiding affection existed between them.
"On one occasion, a large number of men associated together to rebel against the government. The knowledge of this coming to the throne, the rebels were tried, found guilty, and expelled from the island.
"Not many months elapsed before a rumor reached the king that these men were engaged in privateering around the island, plundering and then setting fire to vessels either approaching or receding from the shore. This unlawful and wicked course was continued for years, notwithstanding the utmost vigilance of the officers appointed to apprehend them.
"At length there arose a great storm, which lasted for several days. Multitudes of small vessels were driven upon the reefs surrounding the shore, and were rescued by the kindness of the islanders. Toward the close of the third day of the terrible tempest, a large vessel was seen driving furiously toward the rocks. The king, from his palace, gazed upon the scene with feelings of the tenderest compassion. The surf, lashing itself into foam, was dashing furiously toward the shore; and there, at the distance of a mile, lay a noble brig dismasted and in distress.
"Summoning the prince, the king ascended to the tower of his palace, where a powerful glass enabled him to view the awful scene with more distinctness. The distressed mariners were running to and fro on board the vessel, some lashing themselves to spars or pieces of broken masts; others were wringing their hands, or raising their arms imploringly to heaven; while still other's had cast themselves down upon the deck in an attitude of despair.
"With a pallid cheek and a trembling voice, the king announced to his son, who stood at his side, that this vessel contained the company of rebels who had conspired against the throne, and who, for a long period, had been guilty of plundering the sea.
"'Yes, sire,' answered the prince, after having looked through the glass. 'It is indeed so. I can distinctly recognize the ringleaders in the midst of the crew.'
"The king again approached the glass, and gazed in silence upon the wreck. Then hastening to the shore, accompanied by his son, he offered large rewards to those who would go to the rescue of the wrecked and drowning mariners. But no one could be found ready to take his life in his hand, and venture upon the boiling surf, even to obtain the prize.