Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

pable of the most satisfactory vindication. If the Church of Rome, by its decisions set aside the supreme authority of revelation; if oral tradition is preferred to the written records of inspiration; if the Bishop of Rome claim the absolute supremacy of the church; if the institutions of Jesus Christ are corrupted; if we are called upon to renounce our reason and our senses; if an ecclesiastical domination lord it over the heritage of God,' and employ force and coercion in the support of their measures; if the purity and simplicity of the gospel be endangered by their unscriptural views of the sacrifice of the mass, the sale of indulgences, the doctrine of merit, and the fire of purgatory; if they demand

implicit and unqualified subjection on the pain of anathema, proscription, and death in this world, and damnation in the next; and if the history of their church present one continued series of oppressions, exactions, intolerance, and persecution, so that the symbols of prophecy are embodied and explained in its proceedings, then it becomes us to hear the warning voice, 'Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.' * Rev. xviii. 4.

Dr Fletcher's Lectures on the Roman Catholic Religion. An admirable work, that ought to be read in every family, especially in those districts where Romanism is most likely to diffuse its baneful influence.

EVILS THAT NEED TO BE REMEDIED. Evangelical Magazine.

To the Editor of the

SIR,-As a constant reader, and an occasional correspondent, I read with mingled emotions of pain and pleasure, in your Magazine for May, the excellent article which it contains, on "Inconstancy of Affection towards Christian Pastors." After perusing it, I could not help thinking that there are many members of Christian churches who cannot read its clear and affecting statements without blushing and trembling, except their hearts are harder than adamant, and their consciences steeled against all reproof. Added to the correct and forcible statements of your correspondent concerning many a pastor who for a number of years has struggled through many oppressive difficulties, and who has reduced a ponderous debt by hard and self-denying labour; it has often appeared to me an act of injustice, for which a good account cannot be given at last, when a church has suffered a few factious and hardhearted individuals to deprive a minister of a very considerable part of his annual income, not because they pretended to bring a single charge against him, affecting either his moral character or his ministerial qualifications; but just because when he has done all their hard and difficult work, they begin to think that they should like a change.

The mode frequently adopted to accomplish this matter, is through the in

fluence of a small faction, determining not to rest till the minister is ousted; and then another comes, and receives the full quota of income which was solemnly promised to his predecessor, but which has been cruelly withheld from him. Is this justice? Look at it on all sides, factious deacon, and loquacious

; look at it in all lights; look at it in connexion with the promise recorded in the call; look at it just as it must be viewed at the day of final reckoning, and then say, whether the robber or the robbed will stand with the greatest composure and confidence in the presence of the great Judge of the world. When a minister leaves his sphere of labour, and place of abode, every one very properly expects him to discharge all his current accounts; and there is nothing that would grieve a holy servant of God more, than not to be able to do so; but is there one kind of law for a minister, and another for the people ?-it is perfectly just in him "to owe no man any thing;" and it is equally just that his people should not withhold from him what is his indubitable right. A recorded or verbal pledge for a given sum on the part of a church to a minister ought to be considered as binding as any other contract; and a violation of it, when subsequent events prove that it was not incapacity, but unwillingness, is certainly an unenviable reflection, except

to those who think that justice is due to every one except the faithful minister of the Gospel.

Individuals who have acted, or who may be acting thus, may attempt to ward off the remonstrances of conscience while health lasts, though they stand indebted to their former minister a very considerable amount; on the bed of affliction, it is possible that they may be so left to themselves as neither properly to see nor deplore their guilt; but, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Yes, at the judgment-seat of Christ, it will assuredly find you out; and then what account will you give to Him who has said, “Do justly;" to Him who has said, "Owe no

man any thing;" to Him who will reckon with you for any acts of injustice, regleet, or unkindness, towards any of his servants, as done towards himself.

O brethren, consider this matter, while the throne of grace is accessible, while the door of hope is open, and while Jesus waits to be gracious; and the writer's sincere and earnest prayer on your be half is, that the Lord may give you repentance now; that repentance which is productive of fruit-the fruit of restitution to the wronged; and that you may obtain mercy at the hands of the Lord, when he shall come to distribute the awards of judgment.

OMICRON

SABBATH MORNING PRAYER-MEETING.

No one, I should suppose, has ever been present at the early Sabbath morning prayer-meeting without being struck with the hallowed solemnity which pervaded its deeply interesting exercises; the time, the place, the object-all combining to expel the world from the heart, and to excite and diffuse through the soul the most profound seriousness. Although the number of attendants at these choice seasons of devotion is usually small, yet the advantages secured, and the pleasures realised, are both rich and permanent. Oh that all knew! that all would taste and see!

As the early worshipper quits his house for the sanctuary, he naturally thinks of those who rarely or never attend on these occasions; and as his thoughts call up before his mind one fellow-Christian after another, he reflects to himself, "Why are these absent? Do the powers of sleep still hold their eyes? and if awake, is the indulgence of the chamber in their estimation to be preferred to the enjoyment of holding intercourse with Heaven? Passing by those who are pressed with domestic duties, and whose absence is justifiable, why are the young, the disengaged, the Sabbath-school teacher away? what can be said for the absence of these? Perhaps at this moment there may be a conflict in the minds of some, between the claims of indolence, and the loud demands of duty-an actual striving for the mastery; and oh, unhappy result,

they yield in favour of indolence. Can such reasonably look for a blessing from God through the ministry of the word during the day? Ought the teacher to expect success in his Sabbath-school engagements? to neglect this early opportunity—to refuse this valuable privilege, how can the holy services of this day be either delightful or profitable? May they awake, arise, and come."

On his way to his beloved retreatthe house of God, he finds the pathways almost unpeopled, and with the excep tion of his own footsteps, scarcely a sound is heard. He gazes at the dwellings on each side of the way, and beholds the windows closed, an evidence that the repose of the inmates is yet unbroken he is led to contrast this morning with that of the preceding day. "Yesterday, even at this early hour, all was movement, bustle, and activity. How changed the scene now! What care, anxiety, and effort for the bread which perisheth! but the bread of life, the safety of the soul, the realities of the world to come; to these weighty objects my poor fellow-townsmen are asleep. May they be quickened, enlightened, and saved! But who are they at the corner, loitering around the door of that elegantly decorated building? Handsome, indeed, without, but within there exists the destructive agents of death. What a destitute appearance do these early visitors present! how deathlike their counte nances! how emaciated their frames!

how wretched and unhappy their state! Why are they so devoted to this fiery idol? Why so early in attendance at its temple? Can their unnatural and craving thirst be quenched with no other liquid but that heated fluid which created it? O strange infatuation! although suffering within and without from its blighting, burning effects, yet so early on the Sabbath morning do they assemble to seek it again. Behold them, O ye agents of mercy; stretch forth the hand and lead them to the ark of temperance, and there teach them the lessons of sobriety and godliness."

At his arrival at the hallowed place of prayer, the door is opened, and he enters in. A feeling of delight instantly springs up in his mind, as he looks around upon a few warm-hearted brethren and sisters; he feels himself pervaded with a sacred stillness, and is conscious that he is treading upon holy ground; that the place he has entered is none other than the house of God. A hymn suited to the occasion is devoutly sung, and an appropriate portion of scripture is read; a recent convert is then called on to lead the devotions. This young man, a short time previously, was of the world, an ardent lover and follower of its pleasures; but the charm has been broken: he discovered his danger, and the medium of escape he looked unto the Saviour, and obtained mercy; and now he shines forth as a new creature in Christ Jesus. He approaches the footstool of mercy with a heart filled with gratitude and praise, and there pleads with holy importunity for the speedy conversion of the ungodly around him. His fervency increases as he entreats for his former associates, his youthful companions in sin, who are still deluded: he knows their peril, he longs for their deliverance; he therefore gives free utterance unto his desires. "Rescue them, O God, from the power of the destroyer! lead them to Jesus for pardon; renew their minds by the Spirit divine, and en

gage them into thy delightful service: O save them all!"

A brother, more advanced in the divine life, is next solicited to address the throne of grace. He bows the knee, and with hands uplifted, unburdens before his heavenly Father the desires of his soul. As he proceeds, his devotion kindles, and rises until it ascends to heaven in a holy flame. His beloved pastor is the chief object of his deep solicitude; for him he supplicates the divine presence and aid; and on his ministrations he wrestles for the heavenly blessing to descend. "Be with thy servant according to thy promise, O thou great Head of the Church. May thy love be the main-spring of all his efforts, and the prevailing theme of each address: endue him with power and wisdom from on high; and set his tongue at full liberty, to proclaim the Gospel in all its freeness and efficiency."

A third is invited to approach the Hearer of Prayer. He is a father in Christ; one who has borne the heat and burden of the day: he has experienced the buffetings of the enemy, and the vicissitudes of the Christian course: he feels the necessity of constant supplies from above, and believes that God, for Christ's sake, will pour out the blessings. Therefore, under these impressions, he pleads especially for the tried and afflicted. "O thou, who hast an eye to behold all thy children, and a heart to sympathise with them in all afflictions, suffer not thy saints to be tempted above their strength; console the mourners; guide the perplexed; encourage the timorous; sustain the weak; appropriate thy blessing to the necessities of each, and make thy truth a word in season to all, and thus make this Sabbath a good day to every soul."

The concluding blessing is then pronounced; the meeting separates; and each, on leaving the house of prayer, can testify that it was good to be there.

T. C.

TO YOUNG PERSONS,

ON

ASSISTING THEIR PASTORS.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-I am sure that you are sincerely attached to

your beloved pastor; and that you are anxious to do every thing in your power

to ease his circumstances, and to encourage his heart. You will, I doubt not, feel obliged to any one who will put you in the way of rendering him assistance. There are some churches in which the young people are studiously attentive to anticipate the wants, and to gratify the wishes of their minister. There is a delicacy, a propriety, a tenderness in all their movements which you will do well not only to admire, but to imitate. Now there are three questions which I will propose to you.

1. Is your pastor's library well supplied? You can easily ascertain this without making any impertinent inquiries. You will probably find that he has not in his possession some of the most valuable theological works. You know that it is exceedingly desirable that h should possess them. And why does he not? It is simply because he has not the means of purchasing. How easy it would be for you to collect amongst yourselves annually a sufficient sum to enable him to secure all that will be valuable in the acquisition of scriptural knowledge.

[ocr errors]

The improvement of a minister's library is the improvement of the people's minds. The thoughts he collects in it, he communicates to them. Your kindness to him, will be kindness to yourselves.

2. Has your minister had much affliction in his person or in his family? The probability is, that he is not exempt from the calamities to which the rest of mankind are exposed. Afflictive times are expensive times. If you do not know this from your own experience, you may know it from the experience of your parents. The minister's heart is

often oppressed with the thought that he shall not be able to meet the demands which will be made upon him by his medical attendant. Can you not at such a season come forward to his help? With what delight will he study, and with what pleasure will he preach, if he can say, "I owe no man any thing but love.' His character will be preserved -religion will be honoured-and the church will be blessed!

3. Is your minister recommended, for the benefit of his health, to leave home? The medical man tells him and his friends, that a change of air will be more likely to restore him than all the medicine in his surgery. He wishes to go, but he cannot. He has the will, but he has not the means. It is surprising with what apparent affection and interest people will sometimes say to their exhausted minister, "You had better have a little change; a change is always beneficial: we wish you would try." The good man sighs, but has too much modesty and diffidence to say, "I have not the means to clear the expenses of the journey." Now take such a case into your consideration, meet the difficulty, and send to your pastor, with a respectful note, the pledge of your affection, and the fruit of your liberality. This will not be saying, "Be ye clothed, and be ye fed," but it will be clothing and feeding. This will be the charity of the gospel. In conclusion, I would only say, "That you do, do quickly." With best wishes for your spiritual prosperity, I remain,

Yours affectionately,
THE MINISTER'S FRIEND.

THE CASE OF IRELAND RESPECTING RELIGION.
For the Evangelical Magazine.

IRELAND, according to the Report of the Comissioners of Instruction in 1835, contains 6,427,712 Roman Catholics, 852,054 Episcopalians, 642,356 Presbyterians, and 21,808 other Dissenters. Total 7,943,940. Having been privy to the way in which these returns were obtained in some places, I have no doubt the number of Episcopalians or Protestants of the endowed Church, is overstated, and does not exceed, if it amounts to 600,000. There are 1,385 benefices,

and not less, if there are not more than 3,000 clergymen, or one for every 200 individuals of that portion of the community. There are also 600,000 acres of church lands, which, if they average only 17. sterling per acre, gives 600,000Z. per annum of permanent support for the clergy, independent of every other source of income. This enormous wealth is, however, in very few hands, and nobody will complain that the curates are overpaid.

But leaving this as it stands, the Christian philanthropist will naturally inquire, Is the gospel making progress in Ireland? And amongst whom are we chiefly seeking to promote it? From long and close observation, I am quite prepared to say, I believe the gospel has, within the last few years, been making greater progress in Ireland than it ever did previously, since its first introduction. A singular blessing from the Holy Spirit has been upon the Established Church, during the last twelve or twenty years. An entirely new order of ministers to a considerable degree, has risen up in it, and I can state from personal knowledge, that no ministers are more efficient, laborious, evangelical in their doctrine, or spiritual in their lives and conversation; often have I blessed God while I heard their warmhearted extempore preaching and prayers, and seen the diligence with which they have attended to the poorest that would listen to them in their humble dwellings. The Presbyterians, also, have, in the same period, become greatly purged from the Arian leaven, which distinguished their ministers, and blighted religion in their congregations; nor do I doubt that the people in both communities have, in many instances, experienced the advantage of these delightful regenerations.

The Methodists are almost universally in professed membership with the Established Church, and for many years they were almost alone in seeking the evangelization of the nominal Protestants. If there are 21,000 Dissenters among the Independents, Baptists, Quakers, and separatists of various descriptions, I think they cannot be rated higher; but amongst the means which have been effectual to produce the happy improvement which has taken place amongst the members of the Episcopal Church, I am fully convinced that the introduction of ministers by the Irish Evangelical and Baptist Society has been honoured of God in no inconsiderable degree; and if their members could be increased ten or twenty fold, I should greatly rejoice, for I have no doubt, if they are men of a suitable character, God will make them a blessing.

Still it is melancholy to think how very little is done for and amongst the Roman Catholics in Ireland. They are under such a spiritual tyranny, both from their priests, and from one another; and

they are nurtured in such a hatred to the Protestant doctrine, that it is only upon a rare occasion that any individuals of that community will come within a house of worship, to hear a Protestant minister of any denomination preach or lecture. Churches or chapels in Ireland, as far as they are concerned, are of almost no value whatever; and street preaching is all but entirely out of the question. The state of society makes every body afraid to attempt or to patronise it. The whole mass of six millions and a half of Roman Catholics are, therefore, so far as preaching is concerned, altogether out of our reach, and nothing in this way is being done, or can be done for them, to any extent that is worthy to be named. The jealousy of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Methodists (which unhappily has very little prospect of diminution, from the conduct of too many Episcopalians and Dissenters towards one another in Great Britain,) makes it extremely difficult for Congregational or Baptist ministers to form churches, or gather a congregation of fifty or even a score persons at any one place as stated hearers; but whatever good is done by them in this way, is almost entirely with Protestants only; no one expects by preaching to reach the Romish population.

But, blessed be God, there are other methods by which, as experience has fully proved, even Roman Catholics may be brought to embrace the gospel. If they will not, and dare not go to a church or chapel, the gospel may be, and has been taken to them in a good number of instances effectually, by the divine blessing, through Scripture reading and exposition in their own dwellings, and by establishing schools to instruct themselves and their children in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Though they cannot be gathered together in congregations to hear a minister discourse from a scrap of Scripture, they can thus be preached to, in pure apostolic style, from house to house, and they may thus, after a time, be gathered into congregations also. Too many Englishmen judge of Ireland simply by their own country, and they judge of Roman Catholics as if they resembled their own fellow-protestants; but the cases are very dissimilar. It is almost as difficult to prevail with a Roman Catholic to come to listen to a preacher, as it would be to prevail with a Jew to

« ZurückWeiter »