Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

officer in his cabin, or quarter, the rustic and the 'squire may alike, we think, be edified and delighted by the private perusal of these excellent compositions: and united worshippers in any section of Christian associations will not find a fitter channel than this little manual presents, through which to offer up the melodies of the heart in praise to the King of Zion.

THOUGHTS ON ESTABLISHMENTS. By a LAY

MAN.

Edinburgh Waugh and Innes. London: Westley

and Davis, and Whittaker and Co.

MUCH has been of late written on ecclesiastical establishments; but for a clear, calm, and dispassionate examination of the subject, no publication we have seen is superior to that before us. It has one peculiarity which will probably render it interesting to many. The author appears to be thoroughly acquainted with the history of he Scottish establishment, of the early history of which he gives a very distinct account in a few pages. Indeed, we know of no publication which contains so much information on this subject in so small a space, We are always happy to find intelligent laymen directing their attention to such subjects, as they are likely to write with less bias than professional men either on the one side or the other.

REAL LIFE: Pages from the Portfolio of a Chronicler.

Edinburgh: Waugh and Innes. London: Whittaker and Co.

Be it known to all Scotchmen south of the Tweed! Those of our countrymen who have found their way from the north to the southern part of the island, and who have no desire altogether to forget the land of their fathers, will find in this volume a high treat. The habits and manners of the Scottish peasantry are described in a style hardly inferior to that of the Author of Waverley. The topics are various, as will be seen by the table of contents, which is too long to be inserted here. The incidents so graphically represented we understand almost all occurred in the west of Scotland. Hence the volume is

justly denominated Real Life. It is rumoured that it is the production of a lady. Though we know not who she is, we should regret that so talented a writer did not meet with

due encouragement, particularly as the whole volume is of the most moral tendency, and inculcates a variety of very useful lessons, especially for that class for whom it is chiefly intended.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

1. An Exposition of the Book of Psalms ; Explanatory, Critical, and Devotional. Intended chiefly to aid private Christians in the enlightened perusal of compositions in which the national history of the Jews, and the personal experience of David, are often blended with the spirit of prophecy. By JOHN MORISON, D. D. In 3 vols. 8vo. The third volume just ready for delivery.

2. Counsels to the Young. By JOHN MORISON, D.D. 32mo. 1s. 6d. cloth, and 2s. 6d. silk.

3. The Christian Warfare Illustrated. By the Rev. ROBERT VAUGHAN. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

4. The British Preacher; under the sanction of the Ministers whose Discourses appear in its pages. 8vo. Vol. III. 7s. 6d.

5. The System: a Tale of the West Indies. By CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH, Author of Allan M'Leod, Little Frank, &c. 3s.

6. A Memoir of Miss Mary Jane Graham, late of Stoke Fleming, Devon. By the Rev. CHARLES BRIDGES, A. M. Vicar of Old Newton, Suffolk. 12mo. 5s. 6d.

7. Translation of several Principal Books, Passages, and Texts of the Veds, and of some Controversial Works of Brahmunical Theology. By RAJAH RAMMOHUN ROY. Second Edition. 8vo. 8. Sketches of Ancient Biography, Poets, Orators, and Historians. 18mo. 5s.

9. Reflections and Admonitory Hints of the Principal of a Seminary, on Retiring from the Duties of his Station. By JOHN FAWCETT.

10. Bible Stories, for the use of Children. Part II. Containing Stories from the New Testament. By the Rev. SAMUEL WOOD, B. A. 18mo. 12s.

11. Spiritual Perfection Unfolded and Enforced. By WILLIAM BATES, Ď. D. 18mo. 2s. Tract Society.

12. Scripture Portions for the Afflicted, especially the Sick; with Reflections from various Authors. 18mo. 1s. 6d.

13. American Religion and Church Order. With an Appendix, containing a Manual for Communicants, and a Sermon on Revivals. By SAMUEL H. Cox, D. D., Pastor of the Laight Street Presbyterian Church, New York. 1831. Published at the request of several esteemed ministers and friends. Price 1s. 6d. The profits to be given to the London and Home Missionary Societies.

14. The Question, "Ought the Professors of Religion to Interfere with Politics?" consi dered, in a Letter to a Friend. By J. BArfitt. 12mo.

15. The Narrative of a Journey and Visit to the Metropolis of France; embracing, together with a few Incidental Reflections, a General Description and Historical Account of the Principal Places, Public Edifices, and other Remarkable Óbjects, which render so attractive that much-frequented and interesting Capital. By GEORGE CLAYTON, Junior. 1s. 6d.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

Winter Lectures: A series of Discourses illustrative of Divine Dispensations. By Rev. JOHN ELY, of Rochdale. 1 vol. 8vo. price 12s. Contents: The First Promise-The Offering of Isaac-The Book of Job-Scope of the Book of Job-Departure of the Israelites from Egypt-Character of Saul, the first King of Israel-The Sweet Psalmist of Israel-Design of the Book of Ecclesiastes-The Babylonish Captivity-Daniel's Prophecy of Messiah-The Samaritans-Subjugation of the Jews by the RomansThe Magicians' Visit to Bethlehem-Miracles of Calvary The first Christian Church-The first Christian Mission-Destruction of Jerusalem-The last Surviving Apostle.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON.

DISSENTERS' MARRIAGES.

We refer our readers to an excellent paper, in our Essay department for the present month, on the subject of DISSENTERS' MARRIAGES. It is written by Joshua Wilson, Esq., whose public spirit, in all that relates to the religious liberties of Nonconformists, entitles him to their warmest gratitude. It is absurd beyond measure, and certainly beyond endurance, that in Ireland and Scotland all Dissenting ministers should have the right of marrying their people, while in England Independents, Baptists, Methodists, Unitarians, &c. &c. are all deprived of this unquestionable right. We earnestly invite immediate attention to this important question. Let every Dissenting Congregation throughout the kingdom stand prepared to petition the New Parliament on the subject; and, in the meantime, let all Nonconformists refuse their support to those Parliamentary Candidates who will not pledge themselves to a concession on behalf of Dissenters so just and equitable.

CONTINENTAL CORRESPONDENCE.

We extremely regret that a communication relating to Danube Moss, just received from our excellent friend and correspondent, Dr. J. P. Smith, in which he announces, with profound grief, the return of Mr. Lutz to the communion of the Roman Catholic church, cannot be inserted, for the want of space, this month. The document is interestvery ing, and shall not fail to appear in October. We insert the following unhappy Errata, occasioned by the negligence of the Printer, in our August communications from Dr. Smith and others. We must acquit him of all blame, as his MSS. are always peculiarly plain and accurate.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

the necessity of reading the Scriptures in their public assemblies, as well as in their families, we shall regard them with still greater interest.-EDITOR.]

DEAR FRIENDS,

Through the continued mercy of our heavenly Father, we have been permitted again to meet in the character of a yearly meeting; and have often been made sensible of the value of Christian love, and of that outward fellowship by which we are connected in religious society. We have also been enabled to go through the usual business of this meeting in harmony, and to conduct, in Christian condescension, many important deliberations for the right maintenance of our discipline, and for the advancement of truth and righteousness. We have received the usual testimonials of brotherly love, in epistles from our friends in Ireland, and the several yearly meetings of our Society in America.

We acknowledge our reverent thankfulness to the Preserver of men, that the pestilence which has visited various parts of this kingdom, since we last met, is now very much diminished. The ravages of this disease have been far greater in other nations than in ours hitherto the Lord, in his unmerited goodness, has stricken us very gently with his rod;--this may be only for a time. May we seriously consider, as a body of professing Christians, what share we have in the multiplied sins of our country, which do indeed justly render it deserving of the Divine chastisements. Solemn reflections have been awakened, in contemplating the nature of this scourge. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." We earnestly entreat every one to improve this awful visitation; and not to forget how rapidly many in this, as well as in neighbouring countries, have been removed by it from time to eternity.

We feel a warm and affectionate concern that all may be fully awakened to the necessity of having an interest in Christ; of knowing him to be their Redeemer. Dear Friends, may the Holy Spirit enlighten your understandings to a sense of the need of a Saviour; and may we all, with penitent hearts, look in simple faith unto the Lord Jesus, "who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." In boundless love He tasted death for every man; all that inherit eternal life, of every age, and of every nation under heaven, partake of the blessings of that redemption which comes through his sufferings and death; he gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from

all iniquity, and purify us unto himself. How essential, then, is it to each of us, that we seek to be cleansed from every sin, and henceforward to live in all righteousness and holiness! This change of heart can only be brought about by the power of the grace of God; the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, is to guide us into all truth; Christ has declared himself to be the bread of life. He is not only the light of the world, but the life of men.

Dear Friends, what do we individually know of that life which is hid with Christ in God? Is he the rock on which our foundation is laid? Do we feel him to be our shepherd to lead us; our teacher to instruct us; the bishop of our souls to watch over us? Do we know him, in our own experience, to be the High Priest of our profession, who is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and through whom we come unto God? Are we engrafted into him, the true vine, deriving nourishment immediately from him? Call to mind the history of his sufferings and death for our sakes, as described by the evangelists. It was the Son of God himself whose agonies are herein set forth; it was he "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Let this excite in your hearts a sense of the enormity of sin, seeing that in the perfect counsels of the Father such a sacrifice was deemed needful for our salvation. These considerations, if justly entertained, will lead you to press after that purity of heart without which we cannot see God. Endeavour, in private retirement, to pour out your souls in secret supplication unto Him. It is recorded for our example, that Christ himself, in the days of his flesh, withdrew at times from his disciples, and offered up prayer unto God. Remember also, for your comfort, that "the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Accept our blessed Lord in those offices which he is graciously willing to perform to all who truly believe in him. Then, from a deep sense of temptation to evil, and of the corruption of the human heart, you will feel the necessity of bearing the cross of Christ, of living in true selfdenial, and of walking in the narrow way which leadeth unto life.

In addition to the practice of the familyreading of the holy scriptures, the importance of which we deeply feel, be encouraged often to read them in private; cherish a humble and sincere desire to receive them in their genuine import; and at the same time, dear friends, avoid all vain speculations upon unfulfilled prophecy. Forbear from presumptuously endeavouring to determine the mode of the future government of the world, or of the church of Christ. Seek an enlightened sense of the various delusions of our common enemy, to which we are all liable; ask of God that your meditations upon the sacred writings may be under the influence

of the Holy Spirit; their effect, when thus read, is to promote an increase of practical piety, and the right performance of all our civil and religious duties, and not to encourage vain and fruitless investigations. Remember, dear friends, that they are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly farnished unto all good works." And, whilst we fully acknowledge that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," a view sup ported by sound and undeniable rational evidence, let us ever bear in mind that it is only through faith which is in Christ Jesus that they are able to make wise unto salvation. As this precious faith is sought for and prevails, the evidence of the Spirit of God in our hearts most satisfactorily confirms our belief in the divine authority of these inestimable writings, and increases our gratitude for the possession of them, and for the knowledge of that redemption which comes by the Lord Jesus.

One of the evidences of our dependence upon God, and that we do indeed acknow. ledge him, is the diligent attendance of our meetings for public worship. We are pained on hearing that numerous omissions in the right performance of this indispensable duty still exist. We would gladly persuade you, beloved friends, who are remiss in this important part of our Christian practice, closely to examine yourselves, and to strive to as certain the cause of this neglect. Is it that you are not concerned for the salvation of your souls? Is it that you are disregarding the divine injunction, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might?" Has lukewarmness, or unconcern in regard to religious duties, taken possession of your minds? Or has the love of this world, or its deceitful allurements, the pursuit of its riches and its pleasures, the ascendency in your hearts? Be aroused, we beseech you, in the love of the gospel, to a close searching of the motives of your conduct. You are not in the habitual neglect of all your meetings for worship. Be earnest in spirit before the Lord, when you do attend wait patiently upon him, ask for the assistance of his grace, that he may incline his ear unto you, and hear your cry; come before him under a sense of your past transgressions, and of the natural depravity of your own hearts; for if this conviction prevail not, your state is truly alarming; apply in faith unto him, through Jesus Christ the righteous, our advocate with the Father. If an evidence of the love of God to your souls he not immediately granted, persevere and faint not. Then will you become careful to omit no opportunity of presenting yourselves before the Lord from time to time with your assembled brethren and sisters.

Many are the instances, furnished in the history of our society, of the Christian attainments of those who have duly attended our religious meetings, seeking, in deep prostration of soul, to draw nigh unto God, and to worship him in spirit and in truth. They have been favoured unitedly to partake of that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; and have returned from their silent assemblies with a humbling sense of the spiritual favours which they had received immediately from him who is the way, the truth, and the life. "Instrumental ministry in the life and power of the gospel is a great favour to the church; but the distinguishing excellence of the Christian dispensation is the immediate communication with our heavenly Father, through the inward revelation of the Spirit of Christ. Let us, therefore, submit to the baptising operations of the Holy Spirit, which purify the soul and produce the capacity for communion with God." Earnestly beseech the Lord to grant you, in his mercy, the communion of the Holy Ghost; at the same time pray that you may be preserved in reverent humility, stedfastly looking unto the Lord Jesus. Live in the pure and holy fear of God, striving to keep all his commandments. Then will at all times be granted an inward persuasion that Christ is indeed your shepherd, and that you are of those who hear his voice; faith and hope in the gospel, which give stability to the soul, will be experienced; and, being weaned from all inferior dependence, you may at times reverently apply the language, "Lo, this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

Our views of the simple and spiritual character of the gospel of Christ, and of his immediate government of his church, have led our religious society conscientiously to refuse the payment of all ecclesiastical demands. We consider them as having their origin in the usurpation and exercise of a power which Jesus Christ never conferred and as it is a testimony to the supreme authority of our blessed Lord which we think it our duty to uphold, we earnestly exhort all our members to act in a meek and quiet spirit, and to maintain this testimony with consistency, as unto God and not unto men. The amount of distraints under this head, as now reported, is upwards of £12,600, exclusive of a small sum for purposes of a military nature.

Our conviction of the peaceable nature of the Christian dispensation has been often stated. We do not consider that the proper maintenance of this testimony prevents us from exercising our civil rights as members of the community, or interferes with our acting as good and faithful subjects. On the contrary, we believe that the Christian religion leads to the performance of all civil as well

as religious duties with the greatest propriety and advantage. At the same time we are convinced that, circumstanced as we now are on these islands, our members are especially called to watchfulness and circumspection; the risk is great, when political excitement prevails, lest he, who would desire to walk as becomes a Christian, may be led, step by step, to take a part in proceedings which are not consistent with true religious principle, and may thus greatly hazard his growth in grace. We, therefore, tenderly but earnestly exhort all our dear friends to be very careful that they do not, by involving themselves in political questions, endanger their religious welfare, or that calmness of mind so important to the right performance of every Christian duty.

Dear friends, in conclusion, we cordially bid you farewell, in the Lord Jesus. May we each be found increasingly faithful in our respective allotments in the church; adorning the gospel in our daily intercourse with men; possessing our souls in patience; and striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Signed, in and on behalf of the meeting, by SAMUEL TUKE,

Clerk to the meeting this year.

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAPTIST BOARD IN REFERENCE TO SLAVERY.

Fen Court, July 10th, 1832. At a special meeting of the Board of Baptist Ministers, to take into consideration the outrages lately perpetrated on the persons and property of the Baptist Missionaries in Jamaica:

The Rev. W. NEWMAN, D. D., in the Chair:

It was unanimously resolved,

1. That the board, fully convinced that the principles which have uniformly guided the proceedings of the Baptist Missionary Society have strictly accorded with the pacific spirit of the gospel, and equally satisfied that their missionaries in Jamaica have acted in conformity to the instructions given them by the society, view with indignation the attempt to criminate those missionaries as parties in the late insurrections, and congratulate the committee and the whole Christian public on the signally triumphant manner in which these base charges have been refuted.

2. That the serious losses sustained in the

destruction of the society's property, together with the violent and illegal outrages on the

persons and families of the missionaries, call for the liveliest sympathy; and this Board confidently trusts that the appeal which has been made to the British Government for protection and redress will be effectual, more especially as such proceedings are directly at variance with the British constitution and an insult to the dignity of the throne.

3. That the decided hostility which has been shown on former occasions, as well as on the present, by slave-holders to the labours of Christian missionaries, affords a convincing proof that the system is irreconcileably opposed to the progress of the gospel, and ought therefore no longer to be protected by the British government.

4. That a petition, founded on the foregoing resolutions, be forthwith presented to both Houses of Parliament; and that as a general election is expected speedily to take place, this Board call upon their friends possessing the elective franchise throughout the United Kingdom to support such candidates only as will pledge themselves to promote the immediate and entire abolition of slavery.

J. B. SHENSTON, Secretary.

"To the Honourable the House of Commons in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned Ministers, meeting at Fen Court, London, constituting the Baptist Board, humbly showeth,

"That your petitioners, fully convinced that the principles which have uniformly guided the proceedings of the Baptist Missionary Society have strictly accorded with the pacific spirit of the gospel; and equally satisfied that their missionaries in Jamaica have acted in conformity with the instructions given them by the society, view with indignation the attempt to criminate those missionaries as parties in the late insurrection, and rejoice in the signally triumphant manner in which those base charges have been refuted.

"That your petitioners contemplate with the liveliest sympathy, the violent and illegal outrages committed on the persons and fa. milies of the said missionaries, and the serious losses sustained in the destruction of the Society's property, and earnestly implore from your Honourable House redress for the past and protection for the future, more especially as your petitioners humbly conceive that the proceedings of which they complain are totally at variance with the British constitution and an insult to the dignity of the throne.

"That your petitioners are fully convinced, from the decided hostility which has constantly been shown by the great body of slave-holders to the labours of Christian missionaries, that the system of slavery is irreconcileably opposed to the progress of the gospel, and therefore do earnestly pray that your Honourable House will, without further delay, adopt such measures as to your wis

dom shall seem meet, for the immediate and entire abolition of that system throughout the British dominions."

To the Ministers of the Baptist Denomination throughout the Kingdom.

Dear Brethren,

I am directed to transmit to you the preceding resolutions of the Baptist Board, and especially to call your attention to the last, with an earnest request that you will read it from your pulpits, and in any practicable way enforce upon your congregations the importance of acting in conformity with it. The state of our mission and churches in the island of Jamaica imperatively calls upon us to act with decision and firmness as the friends of the slave. To all his other injuries is now added that of a most fierce and cruel persecution for righteousness' sake; a perse. cution of such a nature, both in the causes from which it has sprung, and in the spirit by which it has been marked, as leads at once to the conclusion that the existence of Christianity is incompatible any longer with the existence of slavery, and that one or the other in that colony must cease. The ensuing elections will afford an opportunity of all others the most favourable for the expression of feel. ings on the subject; and such is the state of the public mind, that nothing more seems required than for the various communities of dissenters to act in concert on the occasion, to secure such a return of members to the Commons House of Parliament, as will give the fairest promise of effecting the entire and speedy extinction of the negro's wrongs. I am therefore desired to represent to you the great importance of bringing the subject dis tinctly under the notice of your friends at this particular crisis, that all of them who may now have to exercise the elective franchise may require a pledge, from the candidates to whom their votes are given, that they will support the cause of immediate emancipation.

I am, dear Brethren, Yours truly,

July 10th, 1832.

J. B. SHENSTON, Secretary.

BEULAH SPA, NORWOOD.

It is equally due to the Christian public, and to the excellent and spirited proprietor of this enchanting spot, to notice some of its claims on their support. The grounds, which are very extensive, and which present some of the loveliest prospects in England, are laid out with singular taste, and present to the admirer of nature every thing that is calculated to enliven the spirit and invigorate the health. The water is proved, by the analysis of Hume and Farraday, to be one third stronger in saline matter than Cheltenham, and to possess a

« ZurückWeiter »