HERNE CHURCH. even his enemies could never find any thing to reprove in it. Sad it is, indeed, to perceive that there is a spirit abroad which would lower the feelings of hallowed respect which should be entertained, and ever will be entertained, by all who value their protestant principles and protestant privileges, for the memory of those who were instrumental in forwarding the glorious work of the reformation: but their names shall be had in everlasting remembrance. The church of Herne, dedicated to St. Martin, is built in the early English style. The tower is of the date when that character of architecture was usually employed; considerable portions of the structure, however, are in the decorated and later styles. The walls of the aisles are embattled. The west window is deserving of peculiar notice: it contains five lights in the later, and the others in the decorated style. The font is very beautiful. There is a fine monument in the church, to the memory of sir W. Thornhurst. The watering-place at the bay is rapidly increasing, and every accommodation is provided for visitors. A chapel was here consecrated in 1840. THE parish church of Herne, about seven miles north of Canterbury, is situated about two miles from the bay, on the shore of which, within the last few years, a thriving watering-place has sprung up. It is peculiarly interesting, as having had for its incumbent Nicholas Ridley, subsequently bishop of London, whose glory it was to testify a bold and unflinching adherence to the doctrines of the reformation, amidst the blazing faggots at the stake, with his beloved friend Latimer, and amidst the denunciations and curses of the emissaries of the papal see. Surely, to a mind not led away by the insinuating influence of Romish error, a visit to such a place as Herne cannot but be productive of admiration and gratitude; admiration of the firmness and constancy with which the martyr joyfully bore testimony to the value of the doctrines in defence of which he was called to suffer; gratitude to that great and glorious Being who first opened the martyr's eyes to the perception of the truth, and strengthened him in the hour of trial; when a recantation of his avowed principles would have set him at liberty, and, doubtless, restored him to all the Between Herne Bay and Margate is Reculver, preferments he had forfeited. At Herne-on the well worthy the attention of the visitor. It is vicarage of which he entered in 1538-the mind situated on the old Roman site, Regulbium. It of Ridley was undergoing an important change. was called in the time of the Saxon kings, who re"As vicar," we are told, "he diligently in- sided there," Raculf." There are still some structed his flock in the doctrines of the gospel; Roman remains here. The castle stood upon a doctrines which had probably been withheld from natural rising ground, beneath which flows the them, as much from the ignorance as from the river Stour or Wantsum. It did not overhang the maliciousness of his predecessors;" for the flock sea, on the northern cliff, as the ruin of the old were blind-their shepherds were blind also. church now does. Century after century has the "The preferment being bestowed upon him, wave been gnawing this cliff; and, as successive with the intense but well directed zeal which portions have fallen, human bones, coins, &c., formed so essential a part of his character he ap-have been discovered. Reculver is a memorable plied himself to the duties of his new situation. So successful was he as a preacher, that he attracted to his church numbers who had hitherto altogether omitted the duty of attendance on the services of the church; nor was he less attentive to the other parts of his parochial duty." People, it is said, swarmed about him like bees, desiring the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of his doctrine, which he not only preached, but shewed the same by his life, in such holiness of living, that example of the changes produced even in three centuries. Leland's description of the place is scarcely to be credited by those who now see it close to the water. "Reculver standeth within a quarter of a mile or little more from the sea-side. The town at this time is but village-like: sometime where as the parish is now, was a great abbey; and Brightwald, archbishop of Canterbury, was of that house. The old building of the church of the abbey remaineth, having two goodly spiring steeples. In the entering of the choir is one of the fairest and most ancient cross that I ever saw, nine feet, as I guess, in height: it standeth like a fair column" (see "Old England"). The church has two towers, surmounted by spires, generally called "the Sisters," kept in repair by the Trinity house, to which it belongs. The other portions not being safe, were taken down, and the materials employed in building a church at Hillsborough, about a mile distant. The original building was erected by a person named Basse, on land granted by Egbert, king of Kent. Eadred annexed it to Christchurch, Canterbury, in 949. Ethelbert, who had a palace here, was buried in the old abbey, over which, at one time, a dean presided. B. A WEEK OF THE THOUGHTFUL YEAR". July 1.-Whosoever would oppose the progress of the gospel is like unto Herod, who commanded that all the young children should be slain. His commands were ineffectual; for one of the number escaped destruction, and that one was Christ. Thus, they who discountenance the diffusion of the truths of Christianity through the distant regions of the earth virtually abet the slaughter of human souls. But the gospel will prevail over the power of kings and the counsel of rulers. O God, make my dear flock fellow-labourers with thy faithful servants who preach thy word in the dark places, and give them a portion of the heathen for their inheritance with thy Son Jesus. July 2.-Blessed God, who rulest the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, direct, sanctify, and govern mine by the Spirit of thy grace, that my will may be thy will in all things, and thy will my will; that I may love that which thou lovest and hate that which thou hatest; and follow wheresoever thou leadest, though it were to prison, the cross, and death. July 3.-Conscience, like a watch-dog, gives notice to the soul of the approach of danger; but grace, not conscience, repels it; for the sin of our first parents has chained the conscience, so that it cannot move in defence of the earthly house of this tabernacle. Give me, O God, an ear to hear the warning voice of my conscience; and unchain my guardian, that it may boldly resist the devil, who would despoil my heart of faith and love to thee. July 4.-Blessed Lord Jesus, make me, I pray thee, thy servant here on earth, that, through adoption and grace, I may become thy fellowheir in heaven. Strengthen me to perform the duties thou assignest me in the courts of thy temple, and the labours in thy vineyard. Purify me, that I may resemble thee as one of the same family; and certify my baptism into thee, that I may be permitted to put on the white robe From "The Thoughtful Year." By the rev. J. Spencer Knox, M.A., vicar-general of Derry. William Curry, jun., and Co., Dublin; Longmans, London. 1844. pp. 194. Various publications have lately appeared, and many of them very excellent, such as "The Pilgrim's Staff," by Mr. Smith, recently recommended by us, supplying topics of meditation for every day in the year, generally containing extracts from the writings of eminent Christians, with suitable reflections. The volume before us differs from these as being entirely original. The writer says he is "unconscious of having borrowed a single idea from any other source than his own mind." tract here given is that for the week commencing July 1st. The ex There is no little originality and variety in the work; but, what is far more important, a tone of deep spirituality throughout, calculated to lead the reader to serious reflection.-ED. and hold the palm in my hands, as they shall do who, like thee, have passed through many tribulations, and in faith have washed their garments in thy blood. July 5.-The parent, who would "train up a child in the way that he should go," must go in the way that he would train up the child. The trumpeter who sounds must not himself flee, nor sound an uncertain sound, lest the troops decline to prepare for the battle. And, as a child's ways are ways of pleasantness because he walks innocently, so must the parent's ways be so too from the same cause. Thus, the parent trains the innocence of the child, and the innocence of the child admonishes the parent; so they walk together as children of God. How blessed is this union! July 6.-Heaven is heaven, not so much from any intrinsic quality that we read of in the mansions themselves, as that it is the abode of the just made perfect; and earth has been made earthly through the primal unholiness of man. Angels would be happy on the renewed earth: the man unrenewed would be unhappy in heaven. July 7.-When we say that we are prepared to die, and at the same time admit that we are unwilling to die, we witness a fatal confession against our own souls; for we testify that our preparation is against an enemy we dread to meet, and not for a friend we desire should come. But, last, so, therefore, the preparation which the fear as we cannot prevent death from conquering us at of him induces us to make is entirely ineffectual; because that would not affect his future dominion over us. But the state of those who are prepared and willing together is far different; for they desire to see the king of terrors conquered by their master, the King of glory, who will not leave them prisoners of war, if haply they be taken. The Christian's preparation is not for death, but for that which followeth after death; for death is but a point in time, a moment we cannot appreciate by any numeration, for it has no duration. So, the self-inquiry of the believer is not-" Am I ready for that undefinable instant at which the shadow of the sun-dial falls on morning or noon, and dwells on neither?" but for the long lasting of the light which succeeds. SABBATH EXERCISES. No. I. JULY 7.-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. FIRST MORNING LESSON. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."--1 SAM. xv. 22. Meditation.-"No work of ours, nor building of ourselves, in anything can be available or profitable unto us, except we be edified and built in faith. If I offer unto God all the sheep and oxen that are in the world; if all the temples that were builded since the days of Adam till this hour were of my foundation; if I break my very heart with calling upon God, and wear out my tongue with preaching; if I sacrifice my body and soul unto him, and have no faith,' all this availeth nothing." (Hooker). Prayer. O Lord God, in whom we live and move and have our being, grant unto us, we beseech thee, thy grace and Holy Spirit, that we may faithfully perform the things whereunto thou hast appointed us, and evermore "hearken unto the voice of thy words." And, to the end that we may walk in holiness and righteousness before thee, and that our every thought may be brought unto the obedience of Christ, prevent us, in thy great mercy, from "turning back from following thee, and from ceasing to perform thy commandments:" even so, O Lord, lest thou say unto our souls, "Because ye have rejected my word, I have also rejected you from being kings and priests unto me, your God and Father, through him who washed you from your sins in his own blood." And do thou, O blessed teacher and sanctifier, vouchsafe unto us, not only to be hearers, but to be doers also of thy word; and so anoint us with thy heavenly grace that we may not set up our rest in a barren faith and the offering of outward professions, but, knowing that thy" great delight" and our alone safety consisteth not "in burnt-offerings or sacrifices," but "in obeying the voice of the Lord," O take away from us "the rebellion and stubbornness" of our sinful hearts, which ever inclineth us to "iniquity, and the idolatry" of our own perverse wills. "Pardon," we implore thee, most merciful Lord God, "our sin, what time we transgress thy commandment and thy words;" and, for Jesu's sake, "turn thee again with us, O thou strength of Israel:" so shall we be strong to walk in thy faith and fear and in all thy commandments blameless; and, "being made free from sin, become thy servants, and have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen. SECOND EVENING LESSON. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."-COL. jii. 1. Meditation." Is it possible we should forget whither we are going? Where should the members be, but where the head reigneth? Where should the heart be, but where our heavenly treasure' is? Christ, who is our treasure, is in heaven, whither first our affections must ascend, and then we follow after."-(C. Sutton). Prayer.-Blessed Saviour, "who art my life, let it be hid with thee in God, that, when thou shalt appear, I may also appear with thee in glory." Draw me with the cords of thy love, that I may "set my affections on things above, not on things in the earth." Grant unto me to "mortify my members which are upon the earth" from all "fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness;' so that by thy mercy I may not be "consumed with the fire of that wrath which cometh upon the children of disobedience;" but, being "dead unto sin," I may cease from "walking in my own ways," and "be called to the peace of God." And inasmuch, O heavenly Redeemer, as "charity is the bond of peace and of all perfectness," I pray thee, let thy love in all things constrain me, as in putting off the old man with his deeds anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and all other sinful works of the flesh-so, in "putting on the new man," which is after thy divine image, endue me, by thy Holy Spirit, with "bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long Ir may be interesting to you to hear a little more on this subject; I will, therefore, give you an account of my regular Sunday expedition, in which I am accompanied by a worthy collegian, my intimate friend. You must suppose the season to be summer, when the country appears to advantage and the days are long. We rise early, and get a light breakfast an hour or two before the ordinary meal, and then sally forth with a few books and some frugal provision for the day. The sun has risen about half an hour, and the dew is sparkling on the long grass. We proceed about half a mile through the noble aboriginal forest; the tall and straight trees appearing like the pillars in a vast gothic cathedral. The timber consists of oak, hickory, sugar maple, sycamore, walnut, poplar, and chestnut; and the wild vine hangs from the branches in graceful festoons. Occasionally we hear the notes of singing birds, but less frequently than in the groves of England. Deep silence generally prevails, and prepares the mind for serious contemplation. We soon arrive at a small clearing, where a cabin built of rough Around logs indicates the residence of a family. the cabin are several acres, upon which gigantic trees are yet standing, perfectly deadened by the operation of girding. Their bark has chiefly fallen off; and the gaunt, white limbs appear dreary, though majestic, in their decay. Upon the abundant grass which has sprung up since the rays of the sun were admitted to the soil, a number of cattle, the property of the college, are feeding; and the tinkling of their bells is almost the only sound that strikes the ear. We climb over the fence, constructed of split rails piled in a zigzag form: we traverse the pasture, and are again in the deep forest. The surface of the ground is neither flat nor very hilly, but gently undulating. Our pathway is plain, and conversation enlivens our walk. Occasionally we pass a log hut surrounded by a small clearing; and, after an hour we arrive at a roughly constructed saw-mill, erected on a small stream of water. The miller is seated at the door of his cabin, clad in his Sunday suit, and reading a religious book, lent him by us on a former occasion. We hold a small conversation with him he expresses a growing interest in religion and the church, and concludes by telling us hereafter to use his horse on our expeditions: we accept the offer as it is intended; my companion mounts the nag, and I walk by his side. We then pass through the woods, along the bank of Vernon river; and in due time my companion descends from his seat, and I mount the • From "America and the American Church," by the rev. H. Caswall, M.A. the college. The great majority of the students are, however, punctual attendants at divine worship, and the bishop and professors are faithful in their sermons and exhortations. No. XVII. BY THE REV. HENRY WOODWARD, M.A., ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY. quiet animal in his place. After another hour we arrive at a small village, or rather a collection of log-houses, the scene of our labours. At the further extremity of the street is a schoolhouse, built of logs, with a huge chimney at one end, and a fire-place extending across one side of the apartment. Within it are a number of SHORT READINGS FOR FAMILY PRAYERS. rough benches; and all around it is a kind of temporary arbour, covered with fresh boughs, for the accommodation of those who cannot find seats within. Having tied our horse to a tree, we enter the school-room, and sit down to rest. Soon the children come flocking from the cabins and through the woods; and with them their parents and many other grown people, attracted partly by curiosity, and partly by a sincere desire of religious instruction. In a short time the school-room is filled, and a number of persons are standing without in the shade of the arbour. I then give out one of the hymns in the prayerbook, reading two lines at a time, on account of the scarcity of books. The people join in singing it, and then all kneel down to prayer. I repeat a large portion of the service by memory, knowing that my hearers, although belonging to no sect whatever, have at present all the prejudices of sectarians against praying by a book. After prayer, my companion adds a few words of exhortation, to which all listen with the deepest attention. This, though not strictly regular, is permitted by the bishop to candidates for orders, on account of the exigency of the case. We then instruct the children in the New Testament; and, about mid-day, we untie our horse and set out on our journey homeward, intending to eat our cold refreshments on the way. But, scarcely have we left the village, when a blacksmith runs after us, and requests us to stop. He tells us that he has felt deeply interested in the services, that he desires more information, and that he wishes us to dine with him on Sundays hereafter. We accordingly return to his cabin, and his wife sets before us a plentiful repast, consisting of chickens, potatoes, hot bread, apple pies, and delicious milk. After some profitable conversation, we bid them farewell, and about three o'clock arrive at the miller's house, almost overcome by the excessive heat. When we have somewhat recovered from our fatigue, we proceed to a spot on the banks of the stream, where the grass is smooth, and where the thick foliage produces a comparative coolness. Here we find about a hundred persons collected, in hope of receiving from us some religious instruction: we conduct the service much in the same way as in the morning. The effect of the sing ing in the open air is striking and peculiar; and the admirable prayers of our liturgy are no less sublime in the forests of Ohio than in the consecrated and time-honoured minsters of York or Canterbury. The service concluded, we return on foot, and, as we approach the college with weary steps, the fire-flies glisten in the increasing darkness. We arrive at our rooms, fatigued in body but refreshed in mind, and encouraged to new efforts. I have mentioned that a number of young men are engaged in a similar manner; and you will at once perceive that, on account of the distance of their schools, they can but rarely be present at the regular morning and evening service at 66 GoD is in his general providence pleased to act by means. Accordingly, we find that, in preordaining that John the Baptist should bear a conspicuous part in the history of the world's redemption, he provided that he should be brought into the world under circumstances favourable to the expansion of every high and holy principle. His parents were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless." Thus was the best security taken for his early growth in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And if he, as we are told Luke i. 15, was to be "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb," the same blessed Spirit had already made his father and mother temples of his presence. We find, verses 41-47, that both Elizabeth and Zachariah were "filled with the Holy Ghost." What responsibilities, then, do these correspondencies imply in the tendername of parent! John, we are told v. 80, when a "child, grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the desert till the day of his showing unto Israel." From that period to the age of thirty, this bright light was eclipsed and hidden from the world; teaching us, in this instance, as in that of John's great Master, that we should be satisfied to lie by, and to be unnoticed, and unoccupied in any active agencies, if such should be the will of heaven. Nay, should we be cast, as some of God's children have been, on a bed of longprotracted sickness, and thrown as a burden on those whom we would fain desire to serve and to assist, we should be thankfully resigned thus to lie passive in the hands of God. Trained in this school of true humility, when the brilliant ministry of this saint commenced, he was wholly devoid of every thing like self-importance. "When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou," what was his reply? Was it, as the mouth of Truth attested, that he was "a burning and a shining light?" that he was more than a prophet?" that "amongst those born of women there had not arisen a greater than he?" No we hear the language of one who, whatever his errand might be, was but the shadow of a shade in his own esteem. "He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness." Such was the retiring and gentle character of him who, when duty called, could enter into the palace of a prince, and boldly rebuke his vices, and denounce his bosom sins and cherished idols as unlawful and accursed things. Such was John as a man. As a teacher, let us notice one or two particulars in his doctrine. Firstly, he came "preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," that is, "Prepare your minds, wean them from former habits, remove all obstacles and opposing principles; for religion cannot dwell in an impure heart, Christ and sin cannot reign together, neither will God make a den of thieves his house of prayer." Secondly, however strict and self-denying his instructions, he did not interfere with the providential order of society. He did not counsel men to leave those states and conditions of life unto which it had pleased God to call them. And, surely, if any teacher come from God had been thus commissioned, we might His dispensation was one of peculiar austerity, awful strictness, and ascetic seclusion from the habits of the world. And yet, what is his language to publicans and soldiers? Is it, as some modern instructors would say, "Leave your professions; withdraw from your positions in SOciety." No. It is, "Remain where you are; and let your religion blend with the daily exercise of your duties." It is to the publicans, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." It is to the soldiers, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." Thirdly, he bare witness to that light which came into the world, to save and sanctify and bless it. "Looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." Look upon that object with an eye of faith, and your sins will be blotted out. Contemplate his meekness and his humility, the beauty of his holiness, the wonders of his patience, and the splendour of his innocence; and that sight, that exhibition, will become the power of God unto your salvation; and the sin that doth so easily beset you will fly from the presence of the glory conceive that John would have been the man. of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - the figure of a woman- "she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal." This was human nature: it was what we still see continually. It may be, my brethren, what we exhibit in our own conduct. We are all prone to receive God's benefits as matters of course, without thankfulness, without thinking of the hand which gives them, in too many instances to use them against the giver-at any rate, in the service of his enemy; so provoking God, as the Jews did, to withhold the blessings which we have enjoyed so unthankfully, that we may be taught by the want of them that they are not so much our own as we had thought. It is a great part of true religion to see God's hand in everything; to trace every instance of protection to his providence, of deliverance to his care, every good gift to his love. One may observe in this, very markedly, the difference between scripture and most other books. In other books, for the most part, as indeed in the ordinary way in which men speak, we hear only of second causes. We are said to have had a fine harvest because we had a dry season: a sick man is spoken of as having recovered because he had a good constitution, or because he had a skilful physician and was well attended: a man in business is said to have thriven and got forward in the word because he had good connexions, or was shrewd and clever and long-sighted and industrious. All which reasons may be true as far as they go the GOD'S HAND TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN fault is, that they are only a part of the truth, HIS GOOD GIFTS: A Sermon, and the least part. The bible refers everything either directly or indirectly to God. Nothing, however, but the actual quotation By the Rev. CHARLES ABEL HEURTLEY, B.D., of passages can give us any idea of the man Rector of Fenny Compton, Warwickshire, and late Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. HOSEA ii. 8. "She did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal." THIS was God's charge against his ancient people; a very heavy charge. He had poured down upon them unnumbered mercies: he had separated them, in their first origin, from the rest of the nations: he had planted them in a goodly land, "a land flowing with milk and honey:" he had given them his holy law, and raised them up inspired instructors from time to time, while all the world beside were suffered to follow their own devices. And yet they were unmindful of their benefactor: they gave him no thanks for his benefits; nay, the thanks which they owed to him they paid to devils. "She did not know"-God speaks of his people under ner and extent to which it does this; and even the quotation of passages can but partially, unless indeed one were to extract almost the whole bible. I shall proceed, however, to set down several instances, arranging them under two heads-the first, showing how God is constantly represented as the author and giver of all good things; the other, showing how holy men, in old time, were used to refer their prosperity to him, and that not merely in their prayers and other set addresses, but in the ordinary way of speaking. I. In the book of Jeremiah we find God thus expostulating with his people for their forgetfulness of his hand: "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:" that is, who do not and will not recognise God in his works: "Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at |
