book which, on their bended knees, they received from the hand of their ecclesiastical superior, when they were invested with authority to preach the word of God and to minister the holy sacraments in the congregation; distinctly and solemnly intimating that the holy scriptures were the great repository of the truths which they were to teach, the text-book of their instructions, the charter of the privileges they were to announce, the treasury of their inexhaustible supplies, the armoury which contained the weapons of their warfare, the authoritative and ultimate standard of all that they were to promulgate and enforce*. On them, therefore, the volume of inspiration, as the seal of their spiritual commission, as the primary source of their authority, and as supplying the chief materials of their varied ministrations, has a more than ordinary claim. Without invalidating their important ecclesiastical rights and privileges, without undervaluing the admirable formularies and specific institutions of the church of which they are the appointed and authorized functionaries, we must still bear in mind that these derive all their force and efficacy from the fact of their manifest accordance either with the direct statements or the unquestionable spirit and design of holy scripture. They are but emanations of light and warmth drawn forth from the great central luminary of divine revelation, and conducted through the instrumentality of human ordinances so as to bear, with an enlightening and purifying effect, on the cha-ciples, not of economical arrangements. Christianity racter and conduct of mankind. The church is, in fact, but a judicious and well-adjusted system of machinery, like that beheld in vision by the prophet Ezekiel, every wheel of which is to revolve and to advance in accordance with the previous movements of that living spirit of prophets and evangelists, whose voice is the voice of the Almighty. But, with a view of bringing this emphatic injunction to bear with a specific influence and effect upon our character and investigations as the appointed national expounders of holy scripture, it may be useful to notice somewhat more distinctly the leading purposes for which we are here enjoined to search the scriptures. As forming the fundamental ground of the duty here inculcated, it is obvious that we are taught to regard the holy scriptures as the only depository of pure, absolute, and unsophisticated truth-as the sole infallible standard of Christian doctrine. This is the first principle, the commending axiom, the all-pervading element of all sound protestant theology; it is the very pillar and ground of our own ecclesiastical system; and the symmetry, the solidity, the whole moral effect, so to speak, of that beautiful and magnificent structure arise from the fact of its being, in all its leading features, in such perfect and harmonious keeping with the base on which it rests. I deem it of inestimable importance, amidst the various assaults to which we are exposed from without, and the fluctuations of opinion which cannot fail at successive intervals to arise from within, that we can thus refer to holy scripture as the great rock upon which our church is built. Incalculable is the debt of gratitude which we owe, under God, to the illustrious fathers and founders of that church, that, in drawing out a form of sound doctrine for the guidance of its ministers and members, they abandoned the unwholesome pools of human authority and tradition, and took their urns to be replenished out of the pure fountain of divine inspiration. It is true, indeed, that they were willing -and in this we are bound to imitate their example to use with becoming reverence and discretion the various means and resources which the monuments of ancient learning and piety could afford, as subsidiary to their efforts in deciphering the real import of scripture: yet they never relinquished for an instant the great principle of its exclusive and paramount Κανων της αληθειας ακλινης.-Irendus. authority; nor did they impose a single doctrine as state. It is consequently for the great and distinguishing doctrines and practical requirements of the gospel that we are pre-eminently to search the scriptures. In giving us the bible as a direct revelation from himself, it is evident that its great and gracious Author intended to communicate to us a knowledge of truths which we could not have otherwise discovered. Some vague and indistinct notions respecting his own existence and character and attributes as inscribed on the page of nature, we might have attained without such a communication. But if we would have any clear and distinct idea of our own real state and prospects, and of that wonderful scheme of wisdom, love, and grace, which he hath mercifully instituted for our deliverance, we must search the scrip tures. THOUGHTS IN SOLITUde. JULIUS, A CENTURION OF AUGUSTUS'S BAND. The individual whose name is placed at the top of this paper is introduced to our notice in the 27th chapter of the book of Acts, we read in the 1st verse of that chapter-" And when it was determined that we shonld sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus's band." IN my last paper I spoke (while meditating on the character of Mnason, of Cyprus) of the interesting nature of that book from which it was taken, and which contains the account given us of the personage who is to form the subject of my present contemplations; and truly the Acts of the apostles are replete with the most peculiar interest; for therein are we directed to the deeds of men who "counted not their own lives dear unto themselves, so that they might finish their course with joy." My thoughts were led into a consideration of the individual above mentioned, by the lesson which has recently been read in my hearing, forming, as it did, part of this morning's service; and | I imagined a few moments' reflection upon the character of this man, taken with the immediate connexion of circumstances attendant upon his mention in the chapter before us, might not be uninteresting or unprofitable. May God grant a blessing upon our meditations. The apostle Paul, who was a prisoner of the Jews, and who had just been delivering his unparalleled defence before king Agrippa, was given over, together with certain other prisoners, unto the care of this Roman centurion, Julius, it being the intention and wish of Paul to appeal unto Cæsar. The first notice we find of this centurion is in the mention made of his behaviour to the great apostle of the Gentiles. When the ship (which was a ship of Adramyttium) touched at Sidon, we are told that "Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself;" an act of kindness which is worth recording, and which redounds to the honour of the heathen soldier-an act befitting one of a nobler faith. From the ship in which they had started from Jerusalem, they were removed by Julius on their arrival at Myra, a city of Lycia, he finding a" ship of Alexandria sailing unto Italy, and he put them therein;" it appears, however, that the voyage now assumed an inauspicious aspect, for the winds were adverse, causing them to sail but slowly: we learn from the narrative, "that much time was spent, and sailing at length became dangerous." It was at this time that our apostle assumed the prophetic character, and predicted the danger which should shortly overtake them: "He said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives." Now it is at this juncture of the story, that the sceptical character of Julius the centurion manifests itself: "Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul." He judged that those to whose skill and care devolved the management of the vessel, were more objects of faith and reliance than the poor, chained apostle of the despised and persecuted Saviour that Saviour who possessed power over all things in heaven and earth, and who, by miraculous communications of that power, had qualified his followers to achieve deeds of prodigy and renown: how far the judgment of the Roman soldier proved correct, the sequel of our narrative will show. "Not long after there arose a tempestuous wind against the ship, called Euroclydon;" with this tempest the voyagers were tossed; and "when neither sun nor stars for many days appeared, all hope for safety was then taken away." It was at this time that Paul, who had foreseen the danger, and forewarned the people of it, addressed to them the following encouraging words (words albeit of encouragement and hope, yet coupled with just reproach and reproof)— "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island." After this address the danger increased, and many were in the act of lightening the ship and fleeing, when Paul said unto Julius the centurion, "Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." The subsequent stages of the narrative prove how accurately Paul had predicted the several occurrences which took place: the vessel was wrecked-every | life was spared. "And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land." The last mention we hear made of this centurion is in a closing verse of the chapter, where we find his wish to save Paul prevented his acceding to the counsel of the soldiers relative to the putting of the several prisoners to death: "he, desirous to save Paul, kept them from their purpose.” After the escape of the crew and passengers of this vessel, we hear no more of this Roman officer. It is my wish that three reflections should be the result of our study of the narrative in which this Julius, Cæsar's centurion, is so prominent. And first let us learn from it the folly and impiety of giving heed unto worldly policy, in place of submitting to the sure word of the living God. The chief failing of this heathen soldier lay in his disbelief of Paul's prediction, and in the preference he gave to the opinions of the governor of the vessel. And O, how often we prefer giving credence to the statements of the world, when those statements seem more in unison with our own feeble and sinful notions, when we ought rather to attend to the warnings and cautions of infallible truth and unerring wisdom! "Julius believed the master and owner of the ship more than the things which were spoken by Paul." Oftentimes we believe the world more than the bible-Satan more than Jesus-"a lie" more than "the truth." Verily this is matter for deep humiliation and penitence before God. We are voyaging on a rough and stormy sea, towards eternity: many a tempest tosses our ship-many winds are contrary. The days are numerous when "neither sun nor stars appear;" and oftentimes" all hope of safety is taken away.” And shall we then, in the hour of our peril, turn away from him who hath promised us safety if we believe in his word; shall we refuse him our faith, and prefer our own feeble reason to guide us to his infinite wisdom and goodness; shall we prefer the "master and the owner of the ship "-that bark which seems every moment to be sinking beneath the stormy waters-to him who holdeth those waters in the hollow of his hands?" Nay, rather may we discard all worldly schemes of safety and protection, and, casting ourselves around all upon the great Captain of our salvation, exclaim with Paul, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it is told me." Next let us learn from this narrative the estimable nature of courtesy; although a subordinate lesson this, yet it ought not to be overlooked. Here was a heathen centurion, into whose charge was intrusted the prosecuted and despised apostle of the Lord; but mark the behaviour of the soldier. He first liberates him at Sidon, courteously entreats him, and furnishes him with an opportunity of visiting his friends, and afterwards manifests his disposition for Paul's safety by refusing to give heed to the cruel demand of the soldiers. Truly this conduct of the Roman soldier may put many Christians (professing themselves such) to the blush, who unkindly deport themselves to others who may be more or less in earnest about eternal things than they appear to be, or who may differ a few shades in opinion from their own views: let us ever bear in mind the exhortation of St. Peter, "Be courteous." And, finally, we learn from this subject another thought, viz., the privilege of having amongst us the servants of the Lord; they are the salt of the earth which preserve the mass from impurity and putrefaction. Paul was on board this Alexandrian ship, and therefore the lives of the crew were saved. "Lo, God hath given thee all then that sail with thee." Abraham, when he prayed for Sodom, said, "Lord, peradventure ten righteous be found there, wilt thou destroy it?" Whereupon God answered, "I will not destroy it for ten's sake." When many would have quitted the vessel, Paul | said, "Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." It is a solemn yet a beautiful thought, that we doubtless owe to the habitation amongst us of the righteous-to their prayers, their piety, their zeal -the continuance of many of our blessings, the maintenance of those privileges which, if improved aright, will insure our final salvation and our eternal happi"Happy is the people that si in such a case, yea, happy is the people whose God is the Lord." ness. The Cabinet. THE NAME OF GOD.-The name of God is put for God himself. It is applied constantly in this manner by the sacred writers. Thus it is said-"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." The meaning evidently is, the Lord himself is the refuge and protection of his people from the hands of their foes. And, attaching this meaning therefore to the expression, it conveys to us all his attributes and perfections, all that glorious character which distinguishes the one living and true God from the vanities and idols of pagan superstition. But the very appellations by which the Deity is "named" in the sacred records, give us full and overwhelming ideas of what is comprehended in his name ; those appellations point out to us his majesty and his mercy, his greatness and his condescension, his justice and his righteousness. He is the "Creator," the maker of all things; "Jehovah," self existing; “I am," immutable, independent; "Almighty," all sufficient, all powerful; "the one living and true God;" "God from everlasting to everlasting;" "the King eternal, immortal, invisible; "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning ;" "the Fountain of life;" "the God of truth," "the holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts;" "God, who is rich in mercy," &c., &c. Thus the very names by which he is known in the revelation which he has given us, distinguish him from all those false deities who have usurped the great and glorious title; they exhibit him in his unity, his spirituality, his omnipresence, his omnipotence, his omniscience, his wisdom, power, and goodness, as the being in whom all things that have breath live and move. was one occasion in which the great and glorious name of God was more fully proclaimed under the Old Testament dispensation-a name which unfolded both his natural and his moral attributes-a name dearer to men than every thing besides-a name of which the whole of revelation is as it were the commentary: "And the Lord descended in the cloud, and proclaimed the name of the Lord." And what was that proclamation? O, listen to its delightful tenor! And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." Here is the grand name, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is the true exposition of it. The Son of God hath made the Father known; so much so, that he said on one occasion-" He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father." He was termed, "the image of the invisible God." He was, in fact, "Immanuel," "God with us," "God manifest in the flesh," "the Lord our righteousness." So that if you would have the true name of God in relation to man, it is to be sought in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is to be learnt in the doctrines which he taught, in the precepts which he delivered, and especially in the death to which he submitted upon the cross: here the whole name of Deity is illustrated. The atonement which was made on Calvary exhibits the most striking parts of the divine character: it displays it in all its harmony and perfection; not an But there attribute that does not meet there its appropriate exposition. In the cross of Christ are seen the justice of God, and the mercy of God-there love displays all its characteristic graces-there wisdom unfolds all its infinity of wonders-there "mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace embrace each other." Thus then the "name of God" includes all his glorious attributes and perfections, and especially as they are manifested in the salvation of guilty man. In a word, it is the character which is given of the Godhead in the blessed gospel; the divine glory beaming forth in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.-Archd. Dealtry. Poetry. THE MARTYRS. BY MRS. ABDY. (For the Church of England Magazine.) O, WHEN we read the lives of those Who suffered for the faithTheir thorny path, their cruel foes, Their sharp and bitter death- Man's favour or his frown, Such perils to partake; In days like these, we need not dread How soon might fade our boast! Of every passing hour, The world shall ever chide and mock The path by Christians trod; Contempt shall chill, reproach shall shock, The chosen ones of God: And those who to thy will have bowed, O Lord, in holy awe, Shall meet derision from the proud, Because they keep thy law. The martyrs suffered cruel pain, By enemies oppressed; From those we love the best. Lure us to death and sin. Few, by a mighty conflict tried, Receive them as his own, Miscellaneous. "No Waralis can read or write." "What god do you worship?" "We worship Waghia (the lord of tigers)." "How do you worship him?" "We give him chickens and goats, break cocoa-nuts on his head, and pour oil on him." "Do you ever scold Waghia?" "To be sure we do; we say 'You fellow, we have given you a chicken, a goat, and yet you strike us! what more do you want?" After much catechizing, the rev. doctor preached to these simple men at great length, and found willing and attentive auditors. They admitted their own errors and wickedness, stated their willingness to receive instruction, and shewed, at a subsequent examination, that they had not forgot what had been told them. The number of the Wa ralis may be about 10,000; their boundary is roughly stated as a line running east from Damaun to Jawar, and then south-east to the Danu Creek. SINAI-We came to Sinai with some incredulity, wishing to investigate the point, whether there was any probable ground beyond monkish tradition, for fixing upon the present supposed site. The details of THE PRISONS OF VENICE.-Retracing our steps the preceding pages will have made the reader acquainted with the grounds which led us to the convic- through these apartments, we now descended to the tion that the plain er-Rahah above described is the long corridor which I have before mentioned, and probable spot where the congregation of Israel were stopped at the small door leading to the pozzi (wells). assembled, and that the mountain impending over it-These were the dungeons of the state, and, with the the present Horeb was the scene of the awful pheno- piombi (leads), formed one of the horrible means of mena in which the law was given. We were satisfied, torture which the republic was so fertile in inventing. after much examination and inquiry, that in no other The piombi were narrow cells, at the top of the palace and immediately under the roof of lead, used as the quarter of the peninsula, and certainly not around any of the higher peaks, is there a spot corresponding in summer receptacles for state prisoners; and there, confined beneath the roof heated by the burning rays any degree so fully as this to the historical account, and to the circumstances of the case. I have entered of a southern sun, breathing the close and suffocating above more fully into the details, because former eir of these ovens, stung by a thousand insects which travellers have touched upon this point so slightly; the heat generated, did these wretched beings drag on their summer days; while in winter they were conand because, even to the present day, it is a current opinion among scholars, that no open space exists signed to the dungeons built under the palace, below the level of the canal. I cannot describe to you the among these mountains. We too were surprised as well as gratified to find here, in the inmost recesses of thrill of horror which seized me as we proceeded down these dark granite cliffs, this fine plain spread out the narrow stairs leading to these living sepulchres. Albefore the mountain; and I know not when I have though prepared by all I had previously heard to find felt a thrill of stronger emotion than when, in first them gloomy and terrible, I had formed little idea of crossing the plain, the dark precipices of Horeb rising second story of these dungeons, and were told that, what they really were. We penetrated as far as the in solemn grandeur before us, we became aware of the entire adaptedness of the scene to the purposes for previous to the arrival of the French, another and a which it was chosen by the great Hebrew legislator. deeper "hell" existed beneath; but the senate, unwilMoses, doubtless, during the forty years in which heling to betray the existence these secret recesses kept the flocks of Jethro, had often wandered over these mountains, and was well acquainted with their vallies and deep recesses, like the Arabs of the present day. At any rate, he knew and had visited the spot to which he was to conduct his people-this adytum in the midst of the great circular granite region, with only a single feasible entrance; a secret holy place, shut out from the world amid lone and desolate mountains. Robinson's Biblical Researches. PECULIAR SECT OF INDIANS.-At the Asiatic "Do you to any stranger eye, caused the water of the canal to flow into them, and they remain filled to this the surface of the water, ranged on each side of day. The cells of the second tier are even below these were formerly lined with wood, having no the narrow passage through which we passed; other furniture than a wooden pallet and a counterpane; not a ray of light ever penetrated them not a breath of pure air visited their infected recesses; one small round hole, scarcely a foot in Society the secretary read an account of two novel diameter, opened on the dark passage without. We tribes of Indians, inhabiting the jungles in the quarter saw the places for the execution of the prisoners, both of Bombay. Dr. Wilson had gone among them, and by strangling and beheading-the block on which made some enquiries of them. They are about 10,000 the head was laid, and the stone on which the wretched in number. The following are a few of their most man sat or knelt; the door was pointed out at which characteristic replies :-" What are the names of your the gondola awaited the body to convey it away for wives?" "We never mention the names of our wives." secret sepulture, and that by which those sentenced [This difficulty was overcome by each man naming to be drowned were hurried away by night. The narhis neighbour's wife.] "How much do you pay for a row cell too was shown us, where the friar shrived wife ?" "Nine rupees and the miserable wretch, preparing him for death, while a half." "Why don't you give ten ?" "It is not our custom." the executioner waited for his victim in the adjoining keep more wives than one?" cell. O, what must death have been amidst scenes "Re, re! We of such horror! Awful even in its most peaceful and scarcely feed one; why should we think of more?" "When your wives disobey your commands, how do tranquil approach, when it seems but the gentle visityou treat them?" "We give them chastisement, lessing of sleep, what must it have been, surrounded by or more; how could we manage them without striking such terror, coming in dark mysterious violence!Miss Cath. Taylor. them?" "But don't they get angry when you beat them?" "They get angry of course." "Do you ever whip your children?" "What, strike our own offspring?-we never strike them." "Do you give them any instruction?" "Yes: we say to them- Don't be idle-work in the fields-cut sticks-collect cowdung-sweep the house-bring water-tie up the cows.'" "Don't you teach them to read or write?" can London: Published by JAMES BURNS, 17 Portman Street, Portman Square: W. EDWARDS, 12 Ave Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country. PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSOX, 24 NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON ON A PROPER JUDGMENT RESPECTING THE grafted inwardly in his heart, that they may HOLY EUCHARIST. BY THE REV. J. T. BELL, B.A., Zouch. No. I. bring forth the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of his name," the moving stir of many of the assembled, to turn their backs upon the holy table, and thus leave the sanctuary of God, creates in his breast feelings of pity, and bitterness of soul. Or, it may be, he has for some time previously been strivTHAT the sacrament of the Lord's supper is ing with a wayward sinner, in an endeavour an ordinance too much neglected, is a truth to persuade him to holiness of life, and to which must be admitted. The mere profes- this " showing forth of the Lord's death:" sion of Christianity seems now to satisfy the an earnest exhortation may have been given mind of man to too great an extent. False by him in the name of his divine Master: an doctrine, erroneous ideas, prejudiced and ob- instruction in the chief truths which are assostinate opinions, gendered in ignorance and ciated with this holy sacrament may have pride, are also now adding their persuasions been imparted: secret prayer for divine light to frustrate this design of Christ to lead sin- and strength may have been offered up; and ners to God. Thus while some, from a con- hope may have told her flattering tale, that sciousness of unworthiness, or rather from an the person thus visited, instructed, and prayed unwillingness to surrender their hearts unto for, would be one of the guests at the supper holiness, absent themselves from the supper of the Lord, when next it should be set forth of the Lord, there are others who entertain for his embrace. But no: if at church, he scruples and objections from mistaken views rises and retires with many others, and disand sentiments respecting this sacrament. appoints the fair expectations that were enAnd perhaps there is no occasion upon which tertained for his soul. A goodly company, a minister is led to feel the trials of his office moreover, who, from station in life and great more, than when the celebration of this high moral advantages, should be thought to prefeast is proposed. During the time when the fer presence at the Lord's table to absence ordinary service of the church is being per- from it, fall in with the departing stream; formed, he sees assembled before him, in and that scene, which lately presented nummany instances, hundreds of his fellow-bers to the eye, is made to consist of a few creatures he witnesses in them an apparent devotion in the prayers, and an earnest attention under the reading and preaching of sacred truth; but at the conclusion of the sermon, and when each individual in the congregation is trusted to have prayed unto God, "that the words he has heard that day with his outward ears may, through his grace, be so VOL. XII.-NO. CCCXXIX. individuals, like trees that are firmly rooted in the source of their life, while the storm and the whirlwind have carried away the bulk of the forest, that had neither the strength of hold nor the beauty of health. That such a melancholy truth may be affected by a prospect and realisation of better things, it shall be my endeavour to offer to [London: Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand.] I |